European Parliament member from EPP and New Democracy, Georgios Autias, focuses on the challenges that 2026 brings for both the Greek and European political landscape, referring to issues that are on track for resolution as well as support and relief policies. In his interview with parapolitika.gr, addressing issues such as inflation, pensions, energy and domestic political developments, he makes assessments for the immediate future. “The year 2026 brings many challenges,” he emphasizes, while recognizing that “we have a huge issue which is inflation, no one can ignore it.”
Regarding the burning issue of energy and high prices, he notes “the cable is being installed and we are on the right track,” while answering questions about the housing crisis for which special measures are being taken both by the Greek government and Brussels, he emphasizes among other things: “Wages are half the cost of acquiring housing.” He also reveals that “Europe says that a profiteering police will be created for real estate.”
Georgios Autias on pensioners: “In 2026 they won’t have personal difference, the abolition of EAS will come gradually”
Regarding pensioners and responding to the fact that increases are small in proportion to the burden of everyday life they face, Mr. Autias explains that “pensioners in 2026 won’t have personal difference, the abolition of EAS will come gradually.” He also reminds that “pensioners couldn’t get an increase for 10 years.”
In his statement about the Swiss franc and with at least 65,000 borrowers remaining trapped, he emphasized that a “government regulation has been scheduled” and there will be “developments in early January.”
On Tsipras, Karystianos and the next elections
Commenting on the domestic political scene and the possibility of Alexis Tsipras returning to active politics, he wonders “why did Tsipras put the country into memorandums when he said he would tear them up in one night?” When asked if he has read the former prime minister’s book, he says: “I haven’t read Ithaca, I lived through all this as a journalist.” When asked whether a Tsipras party would threaten New Democracy, he responds: “Is there a right-winger who would ever vote for Tsipras?”
To opposition criticism he responds: “the words of political opponents are just shots in the air.” Regarding OPEKEPE, he points out that it “exploded in New Democracy’s hands” and suggests that farmers who touched the “honey should return it with interest.” He reminds, however, that “Europe has 26 OPEKEPE cases.”
When asked about the possibility of Maria Karystianos creating a movement, he said: “We may never see a Karystianos party running.” Towards the end of his interview, he concluded with this prediction for the next elections: “New Democracy will be the first party in the elections.”
