Galery

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Well, to have good connections with a super power is not bad, it is good. The important thing is what decision will be made. In Greece many people believe, including Karamanlis, that contacts with Russia are useful and necessary. We are situated in the part of the world where Russia is the biggest energy producer and we need that. What can we do? America has not helped Greece in 40 years. It is far from Greek interests. Russia is closer to our country’s economic interests, because it has petrol and natural gas. How can you in e bad relationship with the one who own the monopoly production? I think Karamanlis did well, when he kept the dialogue with Russia. I understand America does not like that but this is politics.

As a historian, if you compare Georgios Papandreou with Andreas Papandreou, what would you say the differences and similarities are?

As politicians they have nothing in common. Georgios did not inherit anything positive or negative from his father. Andreas Papandreou had many disadvantages. And I do not mean women – this is humanly. He was a man who lived for today and not for tomorrow. This is why he left so many problems behind his back. His government was wrong for Greek economy – he left high budget deficit and a party in bad condition, just like Karamanlis. Karamanlis is a good student of Andreas Papandreou. He surrounded himself with plain people, in order not to feel threatened. This was Karamanlis’ big mistake, which he learned from Andreas. Andreas surrounded himself with useless people and for me it is still a mystery how a good politician like Kostas Simitis managed to survive in this party. He also managed to make a good government, which did not include only the old socialist generation. Unfortunately Georgios chased those people out or discouraged them. For example, such politician is Alekos Papadopoulos, who is a good politician, he did a lot of work in all ministries he worked. But he resigned and he did not compete in the latest elections. Georgios does not have the brilliant mind of his father but he is also not as superficial as him too. He seems to be a more serious person.

Let us go to New Democracy now. Could there have been a scenario “ala Tony Blair” for Karamanlis and the party? In other words, could he have resigned from the leadership without having elections, so that the party and the country coule be taken be someone else?

No, this could not happen in Greece. Only Simitis did this with Papandreou. Here party chairmen have big opinions about themselves. When they are Prime Minister they have a lot of power and they believe they are irreplaceable. They need to experience a big hit from the voters in order to leave. As it happened on Sunday. A while ago this is how Mitzotakis left. I believe that Karamanlis did not expect such little support from the voters. He found this out on Sunday and he felt as struck by a lightening.

How do you see New Democracy developing inside?

Probably Dora Bakoyanni will be the new chairwoman of the party. Except if they do not surprise us and put a temporary chairman like Groegios Souflyas for example. But I believe it will be Dora…

What is Kostas Karamanlis’  political future? If he has any…

Kostas Karamanlis does not have a political future. Gradually he will withdraw from active politics. He will remain in the parliament for a while then he will withdraw and write his memoires. Despite the fact that he is a young man. Of course, it depends how things will go in New Democracy. Will it remain to be one party or will it fall apart? Because the party went through a big defeat. To be honest, this is not a prosperity party. This is party of many plain people. If I were Dora, or whoever takes Karamanlis’ place, I would take it apart and rebuild it from ground zero. Because the Greek right needs a party for people to vote for. But not with the people the party has right now. The staff was Karamanlis’ biggest mistake. With people like Mihalis Lyapis, Viron Polidoras, Georgios Voulgaris, big politics cannot be done. People were laughing. Couldn’t Karamanlis understand that?

If you compare Kostas Karamanlis with Konstantinos Karamanlis, what would you say was common and different between them as politicians?

Again, they have nothing in common. Kostas Karamanlis does not have any of the talents of his uncle. But Konstantinos Karamanlis does not have the orator charm of Kostas. The old Karamanlis did not speak well, he had a problem with articulating. Kostas speaks very well, he is convincing but he does not possess the other qualities of his uncle.

How much time would you give to the new government?

It depends on the government itself and what it will do. If it manages to lower the national debt and to stabilize the economy, then it will remain in power for a long time. If its economy policy is good, it will also win the next elections and it can remain in power for 8 years. Greeks are now mature when it comes to painful reforms. They will agree to limitations if they see that this will help their country come out of the swamp. If they see that thefts continue, they will come out on the streets again—in other words, everything depends on PASOK’s government.