A political conversation with depth, reflection and clear distances from today’s **New Democracy** from former minister **Aris Spiliotópoulos**, who speaks about the times, tourism, A.I., Patmos and **Stefanos Kasselakis**, without shouting. We find him in a space that is austere but aesthetically demanding. A corner with books, sounds from Miles Davis and light falling diagonally on his words. A former minister, with a long journey in politics, education, communication and coaching, and a presence that doesn’t want to impress – but to leave a trace. This is an interview with clear words and pauses that say a lot.
The full interview with Aris Spiliotópoulos in Parapolitika
**How do you view the course of the current government?**
Today, politics retreats and amoralism fills the void. New Democracy has been transformed into a company. With branding, with business language, with focus groups. It doesn’t govern, it presents, and this is dangerous, not because it’s unethical, but because it’s shallow. The world is not an excel sheet nor life a platform. The state is not a startup, it’s a safety and solidarity clause for citizens. Today’s New Democracy is no longer a party. It’s a company with shareholders and budget, but without compass and soul.
**Do you regret having been in New Democracy?**
I would regret it if I couldn’t regret. If I didn’t change opinions and didn’t criticize and self-criticize. New Democracy during Kostas Karamanlis’s period was – with all its contradictions – an attempt to express the center space. Progressive on major issues, socially sensitive, with a vision to synthesize and not divide. Yes, there were many burdens and “barons” from the old right feudarchies even then, who fought every attempt at change and modernization. We tried to break free. Sometimes with success and sometimes with failure. The New Democracy of then, however, wanted to become modern. In contrast, today’s, simply as a company, wants to maximize its profit. Today I see a different party. A force for preserving economic oligarchy and institutional impunity. There is no social thinking nor institutional self-awareness. There is branding, power consoles and indifference about who is left behind. Obviously I would regret being in such a New Democracy, because I am progressive to the bone and socially just – or, at least, that’s what I fight for every day.
**Do you continue cooperation with Stefanos Kasselakis?**
Our cooperation was professional until the European elections. Probably successfully, since today everyone understands how important the 15% he received was.
**Today?**
No. There is no professional cooperation after the European elections, because the appropriate conditions didn’t exist. Obviously, where I was asked, I gave my opinions, because I think he was wronged and because I saw good intentions. But he also made mistakes and lost time, lost momentum and that’s why in polls he’s not at percentages corresponding to what he could have achieved under other conditions. Zoe rode the wave of indignation over the inadequate functioning of institutions with Tempi. And politics doesn’t forgive lack of reflexes, especially when the structure of an organized grassroots party is missing. In any case, Kasselakis has time as an ally and if he persists, with the appropriate conditions of cadres and policies, he will be able to stay and contribute.
**How is tourism going this year?**
You had the revenue record then. Tourism has strategically stagnated. More arrivals, diminishing returns. The product has saturated. We’re eroding infrastructure and environment, without new vision. During my time as minister, we set a target for quality revenues, not just numbers. Today, I see repetition without plan. You can’t rebrand a country you’ve exhausted. We’ve sucked it dry to the marrow.
**Is there room for a new political proposal?**
There is need. The world isn’t looking for saviors, but ethos, wisdom and composure. It wants narrative, not management consulting. It wants voice, not voices. The next political force won’t come from speed. It will come from concentration.
**What do you see in the new generation?**
It’s the most educated, most exposed and emptiest generation. They know languages, but we taught them little trust. They grow up in a world that changes radically, without having safe ground to stand on. It’s a generation that knows many things, but we gave them little substance. They have vision, but no horizon.
**How do you view A.I.?**
With composure. It’s not a monster, nor a savior, it’s a tool. The threat isn’t artificial intelligence, it’s natural indifference. It needs ethics, regulatory framework and new digital education. We can’t enter the 4th industrial revolution with public service mentality from the ’80s. A.I. is like a mirror, it shows you how responsibly (or irresponsibly) you live.
**Why do you love Patmos?**
Patmos isn’t a destination, it’s silence. It’s space to hear yourself. Its light has texture. Its simplicity is resistance to the times. If my soul wanted an address, it would write: Chora, Patmos. Without postal code.
**What is your personal phrase for this era?**
“Balance is the new revolution.” In a world of speed and noise, the most radical thing is to live cleanly and with substance. To think before you speak. To feel before you decide.
*Published in Parapolitika newspaper
