"My great concern is for more and more Greeks to see hope in PASOK. Our goal is and must be for more and more Greeks to see a prospect in PASOK. A political choice that is reliable, serious, with political ethics and consistency, which can change and improve their lives," said Nikos Androulakis, whose PASOK-Movement for Change party on Thursday formally became the main opposition, while speaking to radio station Real FM.
"This new period must find our party with even higher expectations. More work, closer to the citizen. Because our goal is no longer if and when we will become main opposition but how we can defeat New Democracy in order to change the central policy that multiplies the problems of the Greek peoples' daily lives," he added.
Androulakis repeated that his strategy is for "expansion in both directions", both toward the centre and toward the left, while stressing that this will always take place on "terms of policies and values" and "dialogue in the forefront".
He emphasised that he will not "operate behind the scenes" and invited anyone who wished to hold a discussion on political terms and explore possible convergence to do so, while stressing that the problem was not to find places for potential ministers and MPs "but answer today's social challenges".
"There will be political processes in plain view, political conferences. Any citizen that wishes, whatever role they may have, is free to come and contribute through their presence. But you won't see any haggling over power from me," he added.
Androulakis said that the only goal for PASOK-KINAL was to defeat New Democracy at the next general elections, so that the country changes policy, has a better social state, a fairer taxation system, institutions that work and another governance culture, without "arrogance".
He also noted that ruling New Democracy appeared to be entering a "difficult period", a "path of attrition without return" and noted that the country needed a steady political pillar.
Criticising the draft budget for 2025, PASOK's leader said that the increase in revenues did not reflect healthy economic growth but "is basically due to indirect taxation" and high prices.
On relations between Greece and Turkiye, Androulakis said the government was attempting to cultivate the impression that something major was about to happen, whereas Turkiye's rhetoric had hardly changed and he voiced the opinion that it will be "difficult for Turkiye to accept a solution of the sole difference we have...the issue of the maritime zones, on the basis of international law and the International Court at The Hague."