JOURNALIST: The participation of the ‘Nea Demokratia’ party in the Government led by Papademos has formed to many the impression that your party has made a volte-face in favour of a policy it highly disapproved of. What was the political criterion which judged your participation and which are the ‘red lines’ the ‘Nea Demokratia’ party has put on this government?
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: The events which triggered the political whirl after October 27th and the unfortunate handling in the matter of the referendum did not leave to the Party any room for anything else than a responsible national position regarding the country and Greek society.
It is not true that we now approve of a policy we used to disapprove of. We still believe in and work towards a change of this policy which has led the country and Greek society to a dreadful dead-end. And we will change this policy, always by the popular mandate of the Greek people.
So, on this basis, feeling the responsibility, I agreed to contribute to the materialization of these goals which were set for this interim government.
The definition of the horizon and the task of this government, as well as the way ‘Nea Demokratia’, being a responsible Party, will define its position against all these matters the new Government is called to administer, are the responsible attitude represented by the ‘Nea Demokratia’ Party and its President.
JOURNALIST: Ever since the beginning, you have been a supporter of political consent, a fact that – as some might judge – brings you to conflict with Antonis Samaras. Do you believe that the cooperation of political forces which has been achieved today can become a test for something similar that might occur after the election, in case the ‘Nea Demokratia’ party will not be a self-sufficient majority?
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: The world knows that throughout my entire course, I have been a faithful supporter of consent, national understanding, cooperation and political civilization.
The Party I belong to traditionally believes in the same values. Consequently, whatever is written or heard these past days are simply and only devious.
Imagine how much time has been lost, especially the last two years, the years of the Memorandum, on things that would have been a lot different if, instead of making a political tangle, political essence had prevailed, through understanding and action.
Imagine also how different things would be if during these two past years, the then Prime Minister had shown an honest will for understanding. Valuable time has been lost and the government today is called to cover this big gap and its consequences.
The ‘Nea Demokratia’ Party, besides its self-evident intent to form a self-sufficient government, will have as a predominant political power the possibility to form a new political environment that will initiate the new regime change. And it will form this environment, completely free of party-spirited philosophy, as imposed by this historic circumstance our country experiences.
JOURNALIST: Evangelos Venizelos speaks of opposing governing party and ruling opposition, referring to the Government under Loukas Papademos. How do you answer? Are you member of a ruling or of an opposing party? And how would you describe your personal relationship with the Prime Minister Loukas Papademos?
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: Mr. Venizelos has his personal view and he sends his own message to the segment of his party that does not look favourably on this government. What I can say is that this government has assumed a very important mission, although it is definite within its time frame. It has its own characteristics and, of course, it is not a government of the ‘Nea Demokratia’, or the ‘PASOK’ or the ‘LA.OS’ Parties. However, it is a government inspiring expectations.
So, we are all called to contribute responsibly, without obstacles and second thoughts, for the benefit of this country, and only for that.
On the other hand, ‘Nea Demokratia’, as Main Opposition and a responsible political Party, defines its position against all these issues that this government is expected to administrate, irrespective of its special character.
As far as my relationship with the Prime Minister is concerned, since you asked, it is excellent and very essential. I consciously support Mr. Papademos in his mission.
JOURNALIST: The symbolism of the participation of ‘Nea Demokratia’ with the two vice presidents in very important ministries is clear as far as the support you offer to the government is concerned, however many still wonder why did you have to resign from MP to be a part…
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: Beyond the symbolisms, our participation in the government is essential and it has a political explanation. We have undertaken two very important ministries and we participate in two more, which cover sensitive areas of national concern.
We handle with responsibility critical issues.
My resignation was a conscious choice, since the participation of a MP in office would deprive ‘Nea Demokratia’ of its role as Opposition.
The state, beyond and after the crisis, has a continuity that is ensured by its institutions. The Armed Forces are the most powerful link in our national system. The financial crisis lies heavy on them as well. We have the obligation to maintain high their spirit and morale, their operational readiness and their modern infrastructure.
JOURNALIST: Is the time of holding the elections for you a vital factor to keep on participating in this government? How long can the ballot-boxes fall behind and why, in your view, should we go to early elections?
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: As you already know, the time frame of this government has been set by the procedures foreseen and based on the goals it has to achieve.
In this context, in case of time variation, it will be very short, given that the elections will be held as soon as its purpose will be completed.
Politics is a field that often is overtaken by the events and the needs of a country, a nation. The only constant is popular sovereignty which is expressed through the elections.
JOURNALIST: Much has been said on the depreciation of the political scene and on the end of regime change. Some argue that this crisis will sweep the political parties. How do you see the ‘Nea Demokratia’ party in this framework?
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: If we examine some initiatives attempted in the last two years, today, during the run-in for the election, no “sweeping changes” seem to have happened to the political system.
So the solution should be the renewal of personnel within the Parties and an institutional change. Be sure that Human Geography in the new Parliament, at MP level, will resemble to nothing of what we knew until today.
The institutions should change as well. The road should open for citizens to be involved in public affairs, without necessarily coming of political pools. And for that to work, we need to make our system less centered on the Prime Minister.
We need to reduce the electoral quota for independent individual candidatures, not for political parties.
To reduce the number of MPs from 300 to 200.
To form a Senate where the representatives of local societies and professional organizations will be mostly elected, with open votes and without restrictions.
If to all these we add the election of the President of the Republic to a universal direct election by the people, things will radically change.
Of course, more changes will be needed, which have been suggested by us, may I remind you as president of the Constitutional Commission of the ‘Nea Demokratia’ party, such as the formation of a “Constitutional Court” that nowadays is proven to be more necessary than ever, due to the forthcoming modification of the Lisbon Treaty and the objective limitation of our country’s sovereign rights of fiscal, and not only, nature.
JOURNALIST: Are there actual conflicting powers within your Party? Do you feel that you have no room for understanding with some? What is your view on the groups of “five” lately creating within your Party?
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: In my political course, never have I encountered a contradistinction of ideas as a field for conflicting powers.
Different views within a living political organism, such as a Party, are a sign of health and, it is through this procedure that people, values and ideas will be brought forth.
Understanding requires comprehension and my political culture has been registered during all these years I have been in responsible posts which were assigned to me by society itself. I always feel that I unite and never divide, that I bridge and never separate. This big democratic liberal party has inexhaustible room for understanding, intra or extra muros.
As for your reference to groups, I will reply that History has proven that small groups within big parties have never reached the… finals. Our social foundation requires unity and it is our political but also moral responsibility to serve unity, cohesion and solidarity in our Party.
JOURNALIST: What might change this place, given the dramatic conditions, if the ‘Nea Demokratia’ Party shall win? Do you have the possibility to change policy or shall we see once more our pre-election expectations be betrayed, as it has happened time after time, in the period of regime change?
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: From the beginning, the ‘Nea Demokratia’ Party has expressed through its new leadership a clear stance. The attitude it showed at first may have caused wariness and distrust, however it was proven later that, as for its differentiation points, not only was it confirmed, but also justified. Since it was demonstrated that this Memorandum would lead nowhere and this is exactly what led us to our current situation. This is now admitted by its supporters at the time.
It is obvious that under the current circumstance and with the most unfavourable data available now, the room for negotiation for many of the points set forth by, and never dissociated from, the ‘Nea Demokratia’ Party, have dramatically reduced; however this doesn’t mean that we shall cease our efforts nor retract our positions.
It is our obligation to adjust to the new condition, so as to face realistically the circumstances. Truth, sincerity and realism are necessary in order to move on. The last gallop polls prove our policy’s correctness.
The people rely more on our role and feel more assured with our participation and contribution to this coalition government. And this is emphasized even more, heralding an important electoral victory which will launch the era of the new regime change.
