The president of the Movement of Socialists Democrats Giorgos Papandreou commented that he left PASOK because it became “a part of the system” he aims to change and debated the possibility of an alliance with SYRIZA, in an interview to Italian newspaper Corriere Della Sera. Mr. Papandreou argued that the Greek state must take “a more just, transparent and efficient direction” and stressed the importance of private initiative in overcoming the clientelist system that currently dominates.
The former PASOK member argues that unless the production model in Greece changes, then any success will be fleeting. The key to this change, according to Mr. Papandreou, is private investments and modern rules. Mr. Papandreou expressed his fears that SYRIZA’s program may end up fueling the nationalist and xenophobic climate in Europe, but noted that he would consider an alliance, provided SYRIZA changes.
Regarding the Greek public debt, Mr. Papandreou asserted that more time and a partial haircut were necessary and that part of the primary surplus must be diverted to healthcare, public administration, justice and the tax system. He added that the people should have a referendum to decide upon a radical reform program.
Mr. Papandreou accused the Samaras government of “wasting time” by forcing elections in 2012 and for focusing entirely on austerity, cuts and the imposition of taxes”. Regarding the resurgence of the possibility of a “Grexit”, Mr. Papandreou believes that both the PM Antonis Samaras and the main opposition leader Alexis Tsipras are equally to blame. He also noted that EU officials made “reckless statements”.
