Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis launched a full-scale attack on the leader of the official opposition, Nikos Androulakis, following the PASOK leader’s criticism of the recently passed legislation banning social media for minors under the age of 15. Androulakis reiterated PASOK’s opposition to the measure, while Georgiadis pointed out that PASOK voted “present” during the vote — abstaining rather than supporting — citing, among other things, the need to take into account the positions of the Greek Ombudsman, the Hellenic Society of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and the World Health Organization. According to Georgiadis, all three bodies had expressed support for the legislative initiative during its review by the relevant parliamentary committee. “PASOK and Nikos Androulakis, out of personal animosity toward Mitsotakis, chose to go against the wishes of 90% of parents in this country — parents like us who have children,” Georgiadis argued.
“Does the Hellenic Society of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, which said the blanket ban is a mistake, have a complex about Mr. Mitsotakis? And the Children’s Ombudsman? Nobody has a complex — this is about responsibility,” Androulakis responded, accusing the Health Minister of engaging in “ridiculous political games” and attempting to “weaponize” the issue and “divide” the public. “On one hand, you want to protect minors from fake news. But on the other hand, you are the ones organizing an ‘army’ of disinformation online targeting the entire Greek population. Fake news, propaganda, toxicity!” he charged.
Androulakis then turned his fire on the government over national affairs, with particular emphasis on the Turkey-Libya maritime memorandum, describing it as a “clear diplomatic defeat.” “You accuse us of pettiness and small-mindedness — so does that mean Kairidis, who spoke of a failure, is also petty?” the opposition leader asked, while once again calling for the publication of the Greek-Bulgarian agreement on ecclesiastical heritage.
Georgiadis fires back at Androulakis: You were wrong to abstain on the age ban — petty opposition
“Petty opposition will not make you prime minister. You are out of step with public opinion,” was Georgiadis’s retort, going on to accuse Androulakis of “political small-mindedness” while reminding him that he has served alongside PASOK in government.
“You were wrong to vote ‘present’ on the social media bill. I’m telling you this as a parent too. It has 90% public approval. Out of dislike for Mitsotakis, you went against the wishes of 90% of parents. And the three bodies you mentioned earlier all spoke in favor of the bill. You left our children unprotected because you dislike Mitsotakis,” Georgiadis insisted, also citing an Opinion Poll survey showing that 62.9% of citizens hold a positive view of the National Health System (ESY).
“Of course, there is no place within New Democracy for what Kasidiaris says. We stand in direct opposition to those ideas and that political space,” the Health Minister said in response to questions about Kasidiaris’s rally in Thessaloniki, before also addressing the opposition leader’s comments on national issues.
“Do not question our patriotism, just as we do not question yours. Yes, what happened in Libya is an unwelcome development. But the government and the Prime Minister had been working on this. It is the first time that all 27 EU member states have backed the Greek position, not the Turkish one. The Turkey-Libya memorandum cannot cause harm — it holds no legal force,” he added.
