Sharp criticism against Alexis Tsipras was voiced by Nikos Kotzias, Professor of International Relations, member of the PRATTO movement and former Foreign Minister, who appeared on Athens 9.84 radio station in his first comprehensive interview in some time. Specifically, commenting on the possibility of Alexis Tsipras creating a new party, he emphasized: “If Alexis Tsipras wants to form a party, let him do it so we can move on, because this waiting stance is harming both himself and SYRIZA itself, which is emptying out. There’s also an intra-SYRIZA civil war that pains me as a leftist, despite the fact that I was never a SYRIZA member.” Meanwhile, regarding scenarios for creating a broader progressive front, he underlined the “need for common action, a common forum and a common Parliamentary Group” as, in his estimation, “this way, a joint electoral campaign would be facilitated.”
Nikos Kotzias: Kyriakos Mitsotakis is considered excessive by Washington
He also criticized the government’s foreign policy, noting that Greece is a country in international isolation and that in six years of New Democracy governance “it lost positions on the international stage, retreated, weakened and fell behind all EU member states” as well as that “it doesn’t maintain good relations with any of the major powers,” simultaneously pointing out that under Alexis Tsipras’s premiership, the country had excellent ties with China and Russia, while now it doesn’t even have them with the US.
“Kyriakos Mitsotakis is considered excessive by Washington,” he emphasized and commented in a particularly telling way that “Konstantinos Mitsotakis is vindicated, who used to say that the Right doesn’t understand foreign policy and cannot manage it because it’s captive to many interests and other situations.”
Referring to developments in the Middle East, Mr. Kotzias sided with people’s rights, saying we must defend the Palestinians, not because we are enemies with Israel, but because we support justice and must ensure the right to life.
“They must recognize the Palestinian state because all this unrest feeds Hamas, as a reaction to Netanyahu’s stance,” he noted, emphasizing that “you cannot fight only for interests because you lose your values.”
Key points from Nikos Kotzias’s interview
“Historical continuity of impunity”
“The historical continuity of impunity is not a new phenomenon. The Greek Right always took care of it. It’s part of the collective culture of the Greek oligarchy and the conservative camp. They learned to remain unpunished. The non-punishment of collaborators, their incorporation into governments, the fact that the country was governed by people who collaborated with the German, Italian and Bulgarian boot, the non-punishment of many junta members and the fact that no one suffered sanctions for the 1974 coup that led to the loss of 40% of Cyprus, all these give many the ability to think they will remain unpunished whatever they do. Today’s Justice has remarkable judges. However, that part that decides on Tempe or wiretapping thinks it will always be in the clear.”
“Kyriakos Mitsotakis is a partner of the oligarchy”
“Prime ministers in the country -if we exclude Andreas Papandreou and mainly Alexis Tsipras- were either employees of the oligarchy or submissive or partners. Kyriakos Mitsotakis belongs to the third category, he is a partner. However, the oligarchy sees that his relationship with the electorate is breaking and is thinking of alternative solutions. It’s not enough for Mitsotakis to leave, the entire partnership system built around him and which has suffocated the country must also depart with him. They waste Greece’s dowry, they eat its future, giving everything supposedly to businessmen who ultimately don’t make productive investments.”
“The Left has always been patriotic”
“Mr. Dendias signed for the Belhara without getting anything in exchange. The Left doesn’t only have a problem with armaments but also with patriotism. In a large part of this Left there’s the feeling that patriotism is the ruling class’s deception, the way to put us in its ‘pocket,’ but they’re making a big mistake. The Left has always been patriotic and has always achieved great patriotic deeds.”
“No one respects us”
“The cancellation of the Mitsotakis-Erdogan meeting in New York is a sign of lack of respect towards the Greek democracy and our country’s prime minister. However, it’s a permanent phenomenon in the region. No one respects us, neither the Egyptians, nor Rama, nor Turkey nor the North Macedonians who don’t implement the Prespa Agreement and the government smiles, simply to tell us how right it was.”
“We have a Foreign Minister who talks a lot and does nothing”
“Apart from the Left and Haris Doukas, no one remembered to ask Mr. Androulakis if his position to abolish the EU veto regarding foreign policy and defense was vindicated. Does Mr. Androulakis insist on lifting the veto? Does Mr. Mitsotakis insist? We have a Foreign Minister who talks a lot and does nothing.”
“Samaras party and Karystinos party”
“In case of party creation by Antonis Samaras, Kyriakos Mitsotakis will lose his last hope for an absolute majority. Regarding the possibility of creating a Karystinos party, if this happens, it will take many voters. The question is what is the capability and capacity of such a party, that is, with what people it will proceed and with what policy.”
“Never before has there been a Left with so little historical consciousness, education and knowledge”
“Ministers or the prime minister of the SYRIZA government cannot be insulted by people who participated in that government or were its supporters. Tsipras was an excellent prime minister but very weak as leader of the official opposition after 2019, and he too must review his policy. I think that never before has there been a Left with so little historical consciousness, education and knowledge. The Left attracted the country’s best thanks to its relations with education and culture.”
