The former Prime Minister and president of the Movement of Democrats Socialists Giorgos Papandreou was confident that if he carried out a referendum in 2011, the Greek people would have supported an adjustment program which guaranteed Greece’s euro membership.
Speaking to SKAI in relation to the recent British referendum, the former PM argued that in the past decade Europe has failed to live up to its values and has not taken advantage of its power, as in the case with Greece.
Mr. Papandreou also claimed that Europe did not act collectively when it was called to respond to both the Greek crisis and the subsequent refugee crisis. Instead, he stated, Europe first sought out national solutions, before moving on to more collective moves.
The former PASOK leader nevertheless noted that the ‘Brexit’ result has encouraged the development of a pro-Europe movement, which he is estimated is capable of affecting EU power relations, if it is supported by progressive forces.
Asked to comment on David Cameron’s decision to carry out a referendum, the president of the Movement of Democrats Socialists responded that no referendum is a panacea. Mr. Papandreou opined that the outgoing British PM called the referendum in an effort to tackle the conservative and eurosceptic right, rather than assume his responsibilities.
