Nikos Androulakis’ interview with OPEN was a political bombshell, where criticism of New Democracy (ND) went beyond usual partisan rhetoric, touching on hidden interests, strategic choices, and political scandals behind the scenes.
Androulakis called the distribution of Greece’s energy resources under Mitsotakis’ government “one of the greatest scandals”, stressing that local governments and producers were held hostage by policies favoring domestic oligarchs rather than public benefit. He also noted that PASOK’s strategic decisions under the Simitis era, such as the Maniatis law, were frozen by ND, allegedly to protect private interests.
On the issue of lawlessness, Androulakis highlighted the blood feud in Vorizia, Crete, and the bomb planted in a village house with known tensions, exposing the state’s inaction and central government policies that allow illegal activity. He also accused the government of propaganda tricks, like using photos from student carnivals decades ago, to distract public attention from actual gun use incidents at public events.
Politically, Androulakis didn’t stop at general criticism. He described ND as “Mitsotakis’ clique,” with the Prime Minister controlling local governments, independent authorities, and civil society, creating a closed system of power. Comparing to the Simitis era, he reminded listeners of major national projects like the Rio–Antirrio bridge, the Olympics, the Metro, and the Egnatia highway, arguing that today the government produces only lost opportunities, corruption, and impunity.
Regarding ELTA (Hellenic Post), he framed the debate as a political issue rather than a mere operational one: closures and depopulation of rural offices represent strategic underdevelopment serving private interests, depriving citizens of vital services. PASOK proposes reform through integration with KEP offices and pilot programs in rural areas, ensuring that ELTA maintains nationwide presence, low costs, and high-quality services.
On polls and opposition dynamics, Androulakis stressed that the abstention zone hides potential voters, but he is confident that the final choice will favor progressive change with PASOK as the leading party. He emphasized that elections—not scenarios or backroom deals—are the true test, rejecting the “Mitsotakis or chaos” narrative, pointing out failures and centralized control as ND’s real record.
His remarks on OPEKEPE (agricultural subsidies agency) and parliamentary investigations also underscored that ND uses propaganda and hypocrisy to attack PASOK, while failing to advance social justice or productive development. Androulakis concluded with a clear programmatic message: political change, PASOK as the first party, a government that invests in production, civil society, and a fair state.
Source: pagenews.gr