![Greek PM Mitsotakis: The election result will determine what I will do with the exploratory mandate](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/mitsant.jpg)
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis mentioned the upcoming elections of May 21 and the possible collaborations in order to form a government, even from the first round, during their interview with Ant1.
“The only elections ahead of us are the May 21 elections. I will respect the dictates of the Constitution and take the exploratory mandate” stressed Mr. Mitsotakis and noted that “what I will do will depend on the election result”.
Greek elections: Collission over pre-election promises
The prime minister emphasized that the election result will show our actions. He clarified, however, that New Democracy and PASOK have big differences.
“Mr. Androulakis has said that he does not want me as prime minister,” he pointed out.
The best scenario is a one party government
Mr. Mitsotakis then emphasized, however, that the best scenario is a strong independent government with New Democracy at the helm.
“I claim self-reliance and I believe I can achieve it,” he noted.
Regarding Mr. Androulakis, he said that “he did not agree to meet me since he became the president of PASOK. I had asked to meet him. He didn’t accept.”
On the exclusion of Kasidiaris
At another point, he referred to what is happening to the right of New Democracy.
“Some are making up different scenarios. I hear there are processes to the right of New Democracy. We forbade the Golden Dawn supporters from participating in the elections. It is unacceptable that they say this is election interference.
We succeeded in banning Golden Dawn from participating in the elections. We did what we had to do. This bothered some. Mr. Tsipras and SYRIZA did not show any satisfaction that Golden Dawn will not be in the elections,” he stressed.
What history has written, he added, is that two parties, New Democracy and PASOK fought the battle and Golden Dawn will not be the in the elections.
Mr. Mitsotakis returned to the issue of the elections, denying various scenarios that had seen the light of day, stressing that “New Democracy will claim a vote of confidence only from MPs elected with the ND”.
Wiretapping
During the interview, the prime minister also referred to the issue of wiretapping and to Mr. Androulakis.
He characteristically emphasized that Mr. Androulakis had made his choices long before the wiretapping scandal broke.
“I have made my self-criticism about the wiretapping. In the overall scale this will weigh negatively and not positively. But the question is what have we done since then. We made an important change in the National Intelligence Agency-EYP to ensure that there will be guarantees that something like this will not happen again,” he noted.
He repeated that Mr. Androulakis’ attitude towards him had been determined long before the wiretapping. “The whole attitude of PASOK shows a party that likes to revive the PASOK of the 80s. The challenges of the future are different.”
He made it clear that the next elections must give a message of victory for the ND.
“There is a mathematical possibility that the second, third and fourth party will form a government. It’s a possibility. We tell the citizens that in order for this not to happen, the ND must be very strong on May 21”.
Message to Turkey
Mr. Mitsotakis also referred to Greek-Turkish relations as well as the upcoming elections in the neighboring country that will be held next Sunday.
“Greece has one difference with Turkey and that is the demarcation of maritime zones. That is the only issue we are willing to discuss seriously. There is no way to discuss another issue that concerns the Aegean. We are not even discussing the demilitarization of islands or co-exploitation.”
The prime minister made it clear that he will seek to have open channels of communication with Ankara.
However, he admitted that “I am not sure that the issue of de-escalation between Greece and Turkey will continue even after the Turkish elections. I will be ready to cooperate with whoever the Turkish people choose.”
Debate with Tsipras
Referring to the request of the leader of the main opposition, Alexis Tsipras, for a debate between the two, he emphasized that these elections are elections of simple proportionality.
“In the next elections, because there is a bonus and it concerns the first two, of course it should be done,” he stressed.
![ot.gr](/wp-content/themes/whsk_otgr/common/imgs/fav.ico/favicon-32x32.png)
![ot.gr](/wp-content/themes/whsk_otgr/common/imgs/fav.ico/favicon-32x32.png)
Latest News
![Massive Wildfire Front North of Athens; Evacuations Continue](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/DSC_0559-600x399.jpg)
Massive Wildfire Front North of Athens; Evacuations Continue
Τhe conflagration in northeast Attica prefecture (greater Athens area) erupted instantaneously amid gusty winds near the township of Varnavas, before spreading south towards Mt. Penteli
![Greek Industrial Production Up by 9.5% in June 2024](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/industry.jpg)
Greek Industrial Production Up by 9.5% in June 2024
The Overall IPI in June 2023 decreased by 3.0% compared with the corresponding index in June 2022.
![Social Security Fund Employee Arrested for Demanding Bribe](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/cash-600x338.jpg)
Social Security Fund Employee Arrested for Demanding Bribe
Police said woman, 49, was nabbed 'red-handed' after receiving a folder filled with 4,000€, ostensibly to 'facilitate' the issuance of a disability pension
![Greek Road Tourism Booms, Eyeing Record 2024](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/gps-navigator-in-the-car-P3ACQVK-1-600x364.jpg)
Greek Road Tourism Booms, Eyeing Record 2024
The Kipoi (Kipi) border station recorded the highest absolute increase, with 457,000 arrivals, an increase of 115,000 or 33.5%.
![Greek Doctors Issue Safety Advice for Vacationers](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/shutterstock_1061985551-2048x1365-1-600x400.jpg)
Greek Doctors Issue Safety Advice for Vacationers
The Athens Medical Association offers tips to prevent accidents and health problems during the summer holidays.
![Deadline for Self-Employed Professionals to Register for Inter-Bank Payment System Pushed Back a Few Days](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/vat-2048x1536-1-600x450.jpg)
Deadline for Self-Employed Professionals to Register for Inter-Bank Payment System Pushed Back a Few Days
Greece’s independent tax bureau, AADE, announced the two-day deadline extension this week, given that the previous deadline of Aug. 31 fell on a Saturday
![Capital Economics: Greek GDP Boosted by Tourism](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/02tourismos10-600x375.jpg)
Capital Economics: Greek GDP Boosted by Tourism
The independent economic research business based in London appears reassuring regarding the effects of climate change on tourist activity.
![Int’l Students Will Soon Need ETIAS for Stays in Europe](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/shutterstock_620538449-2048x1365-1-600x400.jpg)
Int’l Students Will Soon Need ETIAS for Stays in Europe
Starting next year, foreign nationals planning to study in Europe will be required to present ETIAS approval for entry and short-term stays.
![Ice Cream in Greece Among Europe’s Costliest](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ice-cream-@OT-600x400.jpg)
Ice Cream in Greece Among Europe’s Costliest
Ice cream in Greece is becoming a costly pleasure with a liter selling for at least 3.7 euros in 2023, among Europe's most expensive.
![Eurobank Completes Public Offer for Full Acquisition of Hellenic Bank](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/eurobank-1-600x373.jpg)
Eurobank Completes Public Offer for Full Acquisition of Hellenic Bank
Looking ahead, Eurobank aims to fully integrate Hellenic Bank’s accounting operations, with this process slated to begin in the third quarter of 2024.