At midday on Friday I submitted my resignation from Parliament.

I want to assure everyone who frivolously interpreted this decision of mine that it was a decision I took after weeks of consideration and it was not a spur of the moment or influenced by the political climate.

It was my decision – and mine alone – which I considered many times and planned carefully in order to not violate any of the principles and values that I have served from the first moment I got into politics.

The first person I informed on Friday morning was the Prime Minister and then I immediately contacted the President of Parliament. I voted in favor of the government bill on business loans and outstanding debts and immediately resigned, so that it does not appear that I resigned in protest of the specific provisions.

It never crossed my mind to hold onto my seat in Parliament, because I believe that it primarily belongs to my party and then to me, despite having fought hard to convince New Democracy voters to trust me.

But even if I believed the opposite, I had no right to hold on to it, when critical votes that will determine the country’s future are to follow.

For anyone surprised by my decision to resign from Parliament or wonder about the reasons of my resignation, I inform them that they are documented in my latest public statements.

I am disappointed to see political parties avoiding to discuss and agree on matters that Greek society has agreed upon for some years now.

It makes me sad to see the government, which I supported with my vote until a two days ago and continue to support its effort to stabilize the country, not realizing that aside from the numbers there are Greek people who are still waiting for initiatives to support their income and not just to facilitate the payment of the financial obligations.

In my opinion, for example, the budget surplus could have been smaller and a small part of that surplus could go towards the unemployed, pensioners and destitute who have been struck hard by the crisis and survive each month with the help of their neighbors.

It used to be that the budgets of certain households had a surplus and the state budget had a deficit. Now the state budget has a surplus and household budgets are in the red.

We all know that we cannot have a surplus in both of these budgets, like the main opposition promises. But I think we can agree that it is worth resisting the troika when it attempts to force us to not touch the surplus, while not caring whether it is needed by some of those who helped create it with their income.

I am also disappointed by the level of political discourse both within and beyond Parliament. I was sad to hear a journalist tell me a short while ago that he has stopped visiting Parliament because he cannot stand to watch MPs squabbling, as well as the impression of Parliament’s chambers adjoining the plenary session hall.

I am indignant, without being able to react, when I see fascist attitudes from politicians of a fascist persuasion, as well as insulting attitudes from politicians who have been elected with historical and responsible parties.

I hope that the country’s political system will recover and not fade away. That is why I will continue to fight with all my strength. Because, as I was taught by the elders, the country cannot prosper without a political culture.

Andreas St. Psycharis