Shortly before the election, new data continues to flow into political dialogue between sides on a number of issues. While usually on the final straight line to ballot boxes party headquarters are focused on highlighting the parameters of their already presented program, in this pre-election period until the “fifth point” of the ballot box, we see a lively public debate on central issues that seem to be constantly reinforced. The telephone battle of political leaders added new data to a number of questions and “K” is currently trying to fix a public political standoff this followed and continues between Mr Mitsotakis, Tsipras and Androulakis and ND, SYRIZA and PASOK officials.

Thus, at the level of the governance model the day after the election, outside the perspective of a cooperative government, a natural consequence of simple proportionality, the “special purpose” government scenario appeared on the table after the relative rejection of Mr. M. Tsipras. At the same time, the scenario of a second election campaign was intensified, as by the ND. found that there are no prospects for cooperation with PASOK.

Lord Mitsotakis, El. Tsipras and N. Androulakis identified various dilemmas and strategies.

The economic sector was dominated by the question of the cost and realism of the programs and proposals presented. The question of the economic prospects of the country and the conditions that will be formed for citizens in their daily lives in terms of income and subsistence level, perhaps, most influences the decisions of voters. This was underlined not only by the intensity of the public debate, but also by the promptness decision to remove Giorgos Katrougalos from the ballots of SYRIZA yesterday.

In the realm of institutions and justice, the issue of wiretapping certainly dominates. The mention by Kyriakos Mitsotakis during a teleconference that surveillance of Nikos Androulakis was illegal provoked a new cycle of confrontation and attacks from opposition parties. In fact, SYRIZA tried to use this report as a basis for creating a government of cooperation with PASOK, even a “special purpose” government, scenarios that Harilaou Trikoupi immediately categorically rejected.

Independence N.D. and “special purpose”

Stavros Papantoniou

Diametrically opposed views on the “governance model” of the country were presented by ND, SYRIZA and PASOK during the pre-election period, and the issue has taken on additional aspects since the latest reports of Alexis Tsipras on the “special purpose” government. The ruling party has made it clear in every tone that it seeks self-reliance because it believes in stable governments, so it changed the electoral system by reintroducing stronger proportional representation. Kyriakos Mitsotakis is clear about his aspirations and the model he wants to follow, emphasizing that international geopolitical volatility and economic challenges require a stable political environment. Alexis Tsipras, for his part, spoke of “progressive government” from the very beginning. The story of President SYRIZA is blurred for two reasons: first, because the potential partners abandoned this scheme, forcing him to talk about a difficult scenario, and the reason is that he himself put alternatives on the table, such as a government “expert target” that caused many discussions. Finally, Nikos Androulakis does not deny cooperation, but refuses to cooperate with Kyriakos Mitsotakis or Alexis Tsipras as prime minister, which is devoid of legitimacy. PASOK, however, insists that cooperation is part of its culture, constantly talking about ” joint parliamentarianism” and constantly “emphasizing the program”.

As for the administrative part, Mr. Mitsotakis emphasizes that “the staff is indispensable”. Regarding the political model, the prime minister said that the next government will not be “monochrome”, seeking to integrate leaders from other areas. For his part, Alexis Tsipras also spoke of a “page change”, which is also reflected in the SYRIZA program, where, for example, there is a direct reference to “restoring public control over checkpoints in order to protect consumers”, reflecting a different model, with more government intervention. At the same time, the official opposition, in every tone, despite the rejection of its potential partners, insists on a model of simple proportionality. PASOK spoke directly about the abolition of the state. Also, the leaders in the final segment reported:

Three parties (ND, SYRIZA, PASOK) crossed their swords for a state state.

Mrs. Mitsotakis: “We need a one-party government, yes, but not a monochromatic one.” – There will be staffing improvements. There will also be changes in the government.”

Al. Tsipras: “I deeply believe that the progressive forces program cooperation government can be sustainable and durable.” “Mr. Mitsotakis’s strong one-party right-wing government has inflated inequality, increased private and public debt.”

N. Androulakis: “What Mr. Tsipras says about the Special Purpose Government is a weapon for Mitsotakis.” “The state state turned out to be a state parastate.”

Judicial investigation or preliminary investigation?

Antonis Anzoletou

In a highly polarized political scene, justice issues directly related to the EYP wiretapping case have dominated political debate. Alexis Tsipras has already announced the creation of a commission of inquiry in the event of victory in the elections. He “frames” the prime minister, and initially the deputy prime minister and the minister of justice.

Nikos Androulakis is tentatively starting the process of setting up a new commission of inquiry without violating confidentiality, and from that moment, as he emphasizes, the creation of a preliminary investigation will also begin. The prime minister replies that the judiciary has already started investigating the case and will decide whether there is criminal responsibility. She accuses SYRIZA of ignoring her judgment, and on this issue political leaders have clashed in recent days due to the decisions made and the interpretations given by each side. They agree that the administration of justice should be faster, but the issue of separation of powers also entered the conversation. Freedom and transparency in the press have been targeted, especially by opposition parties. It is significant that the positions of political leaders were as follows:

K. Mitsotakis: “We have corrected a number of identified shortcomings and are building the EYP step by step, which should restore the trust of citizens in their role.”

Al. Tsipras: “Whoever holds these thousands of gigabytes of illegal surveillance in their hands has the ability to blackmail the political and business system.”

N. Androulakis: “I’m waiting for the judge to call the EEM prosecutor, who accused me of ‘national danger’, to ‘legitimize’ my monitoring of PASOK’s democratic elections.”

The issue of surveillance remained at the center of the political agenda until the very end.

K. Mitsotakis: “I saw posters of SYRIZA: “Justice is everywhere”. A judge who underestimates intelligence when he has a 13-0 convict in Special Court on his side, Mr. Pappa.”

Al. Tsipras: “Restoration of the EMZ to the Ministry of Citizens Protection. Repeal of an amendment that prevents EYP from being notified of follow-up actions once it is completed.”

K. Mitsotakis: “EYP was institutionally protected. The second prosecutor, abolished in the days of SYRIZA, has returned. The President of Parliament has now been added as an evaluator.”

N. Androulakis: “The story of ‘legitimate but politically incorrect’ surveillance collapsed”.

K. Mitsotakis: “During my four years in office, we have taken at least 20 institutional measures to protect and strengthen the position of journalists.”

Al. Tsipras: “Renewal 107” in our country, in position 107, should have been the central topic of discussion in this pre-election period.”

Same menu, different economical recipe

George Burdaras

Essentially similar goals (wage increases, tax cuts, social support measures), but with a different recipe and / or with different raw materials, continued to be presented by political leaders in their speeches and even television interviews in the last, successive debates, campaign measures, which ends today.

A strong imprint on this race was left by the “cost” parameter of the parties’ economic programs, in connection with the return of the question “where to get the money?” in recent election contests. I still request that such an assessment be made by either the General Accounting Office or the Hellenic Tax Board or the Bank of Greece. SYRIZA avoids this. It is clear that the SYRIZA program is completely ruining the bank,” Mr. Mitsotakis insists.

“Our program is completely cost-effective,” Al repeats. Tsipras. “Insecurity is now laced with every statement by Mr. Tsipras. In contrast to the fiscal populism of both, we have cost-based and targeted interventions,” comments N. Androulakis. As to the substance of the proposals, Mr. Mitsotakis stressed in the last round of voting that his central commitment “in the second four years is to continue the policy of tax cuts and wage increases.” Al. Tsipras. “We can achieve the goal by increasing investment, reducing unemployment and creating better jobs,” says the ND president. With “taxation of excess profits of large companies listed on the stock exchange”, the president of SYRIZA speaks. N. Androulakis talks about “redirecting the funds of the Recovery Fund to strengthen the welfare state and the extraordinary taxation of superprofits of oligopolies.” Finally, the goal of our country receiving an investment rating has been at the center of controversy over a political proposal for governance: “In 100 days we will have an investment rating from the moment we have a stable government,” emphasizes Mr. A. Mitsotakis, tying stability with the independent government of N.D. For his part, Mr Tsipras, who opposes a “progressive cooperation” government, says “only such a government can safely, intelligently and systematically use the country’s credit rating upgrade.” At the same time, the top three also touched on the issue of taxes:

“With N.D. government, in 100 days we will have an investment level,” Mr. Mitsotakis stressed.

K. Mitsotakis: “Where attempts have been made to reduce VAT, we have not received a significant benefit for the consumer.”

Al. Tsipras: “Reduction of excises and reduction of VAT on food products”.

N. Androulakis: “Reducing Labor Taxes and VAT on Basic Foods.”