Greek Main Opposition Leader: Calling for Elections Constitutes Political Adventurism

Greek main opposition New Democracy leader Evangelos Meimarakis accused Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras of using talk of national elections as a tactic to resolve an internal party problem, saying it could jeopardize Greece’s road to stability.
“He is thinking, ‘I will hold elections, I will be first again, I will limit the party rebels, I will replace [Parliament President Zoe] Konstantopoulou, and if ANEL is voted, I will form a government with them, otherwise with someone else.’ Does that justify elections?” Meimarakis told Greek radio station “Parapolitika.” He noted elections would hinder the country’s road to stability and could possibly lead to a new bailout program, while adding that Tsipras needs to take initiatives to clarify the political landscape.
The New Democracy leader said Tsipras knew “he had created a fragmented party to usurp the vote of the Greek people,” adding that it is sheer “political adventurism to attempt to resolve an internal party problem by resorting to elections, knowing you will need more painful measures and that our partners will not be too keen to hear about fifth elections.”
He noted Tsipras had pledged to resolve the internal party problems at SYRIZA’s congress, saying that “the government Ministers create instability with election talk.”
“They spoke to us of elections, to allow the people to give a new mandate. First they took the measures and now they will resort to elections,” Meimarakis said and explained that if Greece’s road to stability is jeopardized, “it could cost us another bailout.” He said New Democracy does not adopt the measures and will try to change them, while he estimated that the party will win in a possible election, as people will understand that Tsipras is calling for elections to escape.
Commenting on the problems created by the surge in migration on the Greek islands, Meimarakis criticized Alternate Minister for Migration Policy Tasia Christodoulopoulou, saying she was the Prime Minister’s personal choice and called for her resignation.
(source: ana-mpa)

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