The president of the Independent Greeks and Minister of National Defense Panos Kammenos revealed that Yannis Kalogritsas urged him to collaborate with New Democracy and PASOK.
In his interview for the Praktorio 104.9 FM radio station, Mr. Kammenos explained that Mr. Kalogritsas invited him to his home. The former president of PASOK Evangelos Venizelos was present at the meeting. At the next meeting, the Minister claims that Mr. Kalogritsas asked him to not collaborate with SYRIZA.
Regarding the rumors of a cabinet reshuffle, Mr. Kammenos stated that the Prime Minister has the “exclusive right” and commented that the government could appeal to productive institutions that do not come from Left. This could include Karamanlis supporters “who are under persecution in New Democracy under [current party leader] Kyriakos Mitsotakis”.
Asked about the recent crisis in Church-State relations, the National Defense Minister responded that there was “no war” and argued that the Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has a “very good relationship” with Archbishop Ieronymos. Mr. Kammenos added that the Church and State will cooperate on writing a new book for religious education in schools, which will take into account that there are many students of other faiths.
