In an interview on the “Syndéseis” program of ERTnews, government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis addressed a series of current issues, including OPEKEPE, the Tempi tragedy, Greek-Turkish relations, high prices, opinion polls, and flight delays at “Eleftherios Venizelos” airport. Regarding a potential meeting between Mitsotakis and Erdogan, he clarified that government policy will not change in the slightest, although communication channels with Ankara remain open.
Speaking about the Tempi tragedy and Panos Routsi’s hunger strike, Marinakis called it a “sacred struggle,” emphasizing that the case remains an open wound for society. At the same time, he accused political leaders of seeking to delay the trial and “instrumentalizing” the case whenever they see a drop in their ratings. He was particularly critical of Zoe Konstantopoulou, speaking of a coordinated effort of political exploitation.
Regarding OPEKEPE, Marinakis emphasized that the Parliamentary Investigation Committee is an opportunity “to get answers.” “We have not refused any name so far, but there is an order to things when you’re investigating 2.7 billion that people who can’t spare a single euro have paid,” he stressed. “Obviously the fraudsters must pay, but at the same time the state must ensure that not a single euro is lost for the beneficiaries,” Pavlos Marinakis added, while regarding the Opposition’s stance he noted that PASOK has gotten stuck in a rut and SYRIZA remains in the pattern that led to their polling collapse.
Asked about Alco’s latest poll, Marinakis said that the ruling party has overall regained some of the points it had lost in recent years in the weeks following the Thessaloniki International Fair. It is the first post-transition government with such political resilience despite the mistakes we need to correct. At the end of the day, people vote for their lives. We need to put our heads down, work harder with the main issue being the cost of living, he emphasized, adding: “Despite the opposition’s theories, what matters is that policies deliver and citizens will see this in their pockets from January 1, 2026. The government is taking as many extra steps as it can to run faster than the wear caused by imported inflation.
We have managed to increase citizens’ incomes in a stable and permanent way. It’s a battle we must fight with all our strength, with seriousness, without arrogance, and I believe the difference between elections and polls is that at the ballot box there are no undecided voters. The opposition will unfortunately bring their theories, but I tell you, people vote for their lives,” the government spokesperson emphasized.
“The goal is to eliminate delays,” said Pavlos Marinakis about the delays at Eleftherios Venizelos airport, noting that “80 new air traffic controllers will be deployed.” He added, however, that those responsible for the delays “are not punishing the Civil Aviation Service but the citizens and visitors to the country.”
