Auriani

DARE MR. SIMITIS interview of Anna KARAMANOU by Panagiotis Mavrikos 21. 04. 2002

Kostas Simitis should dare to make breaks and changes and to advance the government’s work, even if it involves conflicts, suggests the PASOK MEP Anna Karamanou.

In an interview she gave to “K.A.,” Ms. Karamanou believes that the polls are not a hindrance for PASOK, since we are in the middle of the government term and have significant events ahead, such as taking on the presidency of the European Union.

• Do the polls serve as a hindrance for PASOK?

– I don’t think we should be overcome by defeatism just because the polls—midway through our term—show New Democracy in the lead.

We have two very important years ahead of us. There are the elections for local government, but we also have a Greek presidency in the European Union in the first half of 2003. And if I judge by the planning that exists, it will be an extremely successful presidency.

The municipal elections are certainly interesting, but they primarily concern the local communities. We ask for the most worthy and capable individuals from these local communities to be elected, and I don’t think the government’s work can be judged by the results of the municipal elections. However, if you want my opinion, I believe we will do well in these elections because a lot of work has been done at the local level, and this will be credited to PASOK.

• PASOK should make outreach in these municipal elections, regardless of party and ideological barriers.

– There should be outreach to citizens who are worthy and capable of governing at the local level.

• Kostas Simitis has indeed mentioned the necessity of progressive collaborations in these elections?

– I agree with this position. Certainly, the conditions and prerequisites must be created for a meaningful collaboration with the forces of the center-left.

There are forces in the left, such as Mr. Mpistis’s AEK, as well as the forces of the Coalition and other movements of active citizens, with which PASOK can collaborate to highlight worthy and capable leaders at the local level and further in the parliamentary elections.

There needs to be a regrouping of the forces of the left.

• What should Kostas Simitis ultimately do to get PASOK out of the destructive situation it has entered?

– We have all supported Kostas Simitis for years because he has the courage to defend his positions and to dare.

Kostas Simitis, since the time of Andreas Papandreou, has been consistent in his views and did not hesitate to confront.

And now we call on him to continue this political approach, which is also a part of his character. Therefore, the Prime Minister should dare to make changes, both in matters concerning public administration and in the reform of social security, and in the end, he will be vindicated.

SIGNIFICANT GREEK PRESIDENCY

• I would like us to return to the Greek presidency in the first half of 2003. How significant do you consider it and for what reasons?

It is very significant because the discussions on the future of Europe, that is, the Convention, will be completed, and the relevant decisions will be made at the June Summit. Additionally, developments will be initiated regarding the accession of candidate countries, among which is Cyprus. There also appear to be good prospects for resolving the Cyprus issue.