“Anna Diamantopoulou should no longer be in PASOK,” said Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis during his appearance on Parapolitika 90.1 on Thursday morning (18/6). He pointed out that Nikos Androulakis has pushed PASOK too far to the left, and that if any voter were forced to choose between PASOK and Alexis Tsipras, they would go with Tsipras. The Health Minister appeared on the show “Apenanti Mikrofona” with Sotiris Xenakis and Vasilis Skouris, and regarding the upcoming elections, he expressed confidence that New Democracy would achieve an outright majority. However, should that not happen, he believes no coalition scenario would emerge, meaning Greece would head to a second round of elections.
Georgiadis on Parapolitika 90.1: Diamantopoulou should no longer be in PASOK
In more detail, Adonis Georgiadis, speaking in the context of the dispute between Anna Diamantopoulou and Haris Doukas, said that PASOK’s head of political planning is a serious, capable, and competent politician, stressing: “I believe she has made a political misstep. She should no longer be in PASOK.” He explained that Haris Doukas, ahead of PASOK’s party congress, had stated that the party should not cooperate with New Democracy. PASOK members initially denied this statement, yet ultimately voted in favor of it at the congress.
The Health Minister further noted: “I said from the beginning that this is unthinkable and it traps PASOK.” He added: “What Anna Diamantopoulou is saying and what PASOK is saying are not aligned. PASOK has moved far to the left. They are following Tsipras. Diamantopoulou is trying to say rational things in an irrational environment. PASOK has fallen into political madness.”
“If voters had to choose between Androulakis and Tsipras, they would go with Tsipras”
Commenting on the party leader, Georgiadis said: “Androulakis has led PASOK too far to the left. If a voter is asked to choose between PASOK and Tsipras, they will choose Tsipras. Androulakis was handed a golden ticket when Tsipras left — PASOK was the second-largest party — and he failed to capitalize on it. We are not the ones choosing Tsipras as our opponent.”
On Alexis Tsipras and the opinion polls
Georgiadis then dismissed talk of a secret cooperation deal with Alexis Tsipras as “ridiculous.” He went on to say that New Democracy is certain to form the next government, and commenting on recent polling results, he stated: “Tsipras’s party immediately became the official opposition — because it already was. He has managed something almost magical: he is presenting 15% as a triumph.”
He continued: “Every polling firm has its own methodology. The polls are very favorable for New Democracy. Consistently leading by double digits over the second party, ND is ahead by a wide margin. Stability is expressed only by New Democracy.”
On New Democracy achieving an outright majority after the elections
When asked by journalists whether New Democracy would secure an outright majority after the next elections, Adonis Georgiadis expressed confidence that it would, adding: “PASOK is the closest ideological space to us. I respect it as a party, but I am saddened by what it has become. I believe Nikos Androulakis has done a disservice to the political constituency he leads.”
He emphasized that national elections are a one-round process in Greece and that there is no two-round system. Nevertheless, if an outright majority is not achieved, he believes no coalition scenario would materialize, meaning the country would proceed to a second round of elections.
On Antonis Samaras
Regarding the possibility of former Prime Minister Antonis Samaras forming a new party, the Health Minister said: “Why would he form a party? The ‘if’ is very hypothetical.” He added: “I hope he won’t form a party,” noting that there is no reason to comment on something that does not yet exist.
On same-sex marriage
Finally, when asked by journalists whether same-sex marriage legislation would be reversed, Adonis Georgiadis said: “We need to look at the next steps and consider corrective measures — for example, on tax-related matters.” He added: “Regarding same-sex marriages themselves, I haven’t heard anything.”
