The president of PASOK and government VP Evangelos Venizelos gave a cross-channel television interview at noon on Monday, regarding the upcoming elections next Sunday.

Mr. Venizelos was confident that the “people will decide wisely” in the second round of local government elections and the elections for European Parliament. Additionally, Mr. Venizelos denied allegations that new austerity measures are to be introduced.

The government Vice President explained that the «progressive stability» to which he has referred to will not lead to stagnation and argued that New Democracy and the Olive Tree’s results will «not be added up together«.

Regarding the possibility of a new initiative to rally center left parties, Mr. Venizelos claimed that the country as a whole must unite, as it is “experiencing civil war conditions, with insults, threats and swearing”. Mr. Venizelos claimed that a national recovery plan, like the one he presented in Thessaloniki two weeks ago, will be necessary.

Commenting on Golden Dawn’s performance in Sunday’s election, Mr. Venizelos remarked that he was troubled by society’s “democratic reflexes” not operating and pointed out that the neo-Nazi party only saw its rating increase in Athens.

The PASOK leader attributed the neo-Nazi party’s increased ratings to the crisis and general depreciation of institutions, for which he blamed the opposition.