Nikos Androulakis told Real FM in an interview with Nikos Hadjinikolaou (18/9/2025) that the ultimate judge of Greece’s future is the people. “If New Democracy is the first party, Mr. Mitsotakis will have the initiative to form a government whose work will be more of the same: high prices, corruption and impunity,” Androulakis said. “If PASOK finishes even one vote ahead of New Democracy, I will have the initiative to form a government that will faithfully carry out the program I outlined in Thessaloniki.”
He repeated the central message several times: the public can choose political change over stagnation, and he believes voters will opt for change because current policies undermine everyday life for middle-class and more vulnerable Greeks — from rising rents and expensive food to costly energy, declining public education and strains in public health services.
On the OPKEPE affair and recent parliamentary votes, Androulakis was sharply critical of the prime minister. He accused Mr. Mitsotakis of urging his MPs to stay away from the vote (except for trusted absentee ballots), leaving only a handful in the chamber so certain ministers could avoid scrutiny. “Does this person want a third term as prime minister? No. Enough with corruption, enough with impunity,” Androulakis said, arguing Greece needs a reliable prime minister who respects citizens’ work and does not obstruct justice.
Androulakis summarized PASOK’s four-year reform plan presented at the Thessaloniki International Fair as a comprehensive program to modernize the state — with transparency, proper functioning, evaluation, and permanence at its core. He said the plan targets public-sector reforms so that young professionals will choose public service careers again, especially in the regions, and emphasized depoliticized hiring and merit-based evaluation via ASEP rather than partisan appointments.
On fiscal matters, Androulakis insisted PASOK’s proposals are costed at €2.6 billion. He noted the “13th salary” measure is listed at €1.27 billion gross but that the net cost would be €750 million, citing government figures presented in parliament. He stressed PASOK isn’t indulging in populist giveaways but is trying to shore up the public sector so it can attract young professionals (teachers, professors, firefighters) and provide fair compensation.
Other items in PASOK’s package include a new targeted benefit (similar to EKAS) for 350,000 low-income pensioners (€540 million), survivor pensions (€100 million), and VAT-related interventions on key goods (€150 million in total). Androulakis criticized reliance on foreign direct investment driven mainly by real estate — “Today, one in every two euros coming from abroad goes to real estate,” he said — calling that pattern both anti-national and counterproductive for balanced development.
On inflation and market competition, he accused the government of siding with oligopolies and relying heavily on indirect taxes, claiming Greece collects about €1.50 in indirect taxes for every €1 in direct taxes — a model he presented as regressive and harmful.
Turning to national and foreign policy topics, Androulakis questioned government claims about the Greece–Cyprus electricity interconnection, saying the project is effectively stalled (in part due to Turkish actions) despite official assurances that it continues. He also opposed Turkey’s participation in the SAFE European defense initiative, warning that bringing Ankara in could weaken Europe’s position and risk reopening old disputes: “Who benefits if after one or two years we have again casus belli? Us or Turkey?”
Finally, he reacted wryly to Andreas Loverdos’s move to join New Democracy, calling it a surprise and joking he expected Loverdos might even join the far-left ML-KKE. Androulakis criticized “backroom deals” and stressed that, in his view, politics should be public service and commitment to the common good, not secret negotiations.
Source: Interview on Real FM with Nikos Hadjinikolaou (18 September 2025).
