Main opposition PASOK-Movement for Change leader Nikos Androulakis, in statements from the Cretan town of Iraklion on Holy Thursday, welcomed the submission to the European Union of Greece's Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP), while pointing out that the government's "triumphalism" was misplaced, given that it was based on a 2011 law passed by PASOK.
"It cannot be presented by the government as a heroic saga when there has been a delay of four years...it cannot be presented as an epic when there has even been a condemnation of the country for the delay by the EU," he pointed out.
Androulakis stressed that foreign policy requires "firmness, seriousness and a plan, not communications gimmicks" and he called on Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to inform the Greek people of the timeline for the implementation of the Cyprus-Crete power cable and "how our country will safeguard its sovereign rights with respect to Turkiye off the shore of Kassos."
PASOK-KINAL's leader, accompanied by the party's local MPs and officials, also walked about in the centre of Iraklion and spoke with shop-keepers and consumers about their problems. Referring to issues of inequality and high prices, he said that Greece needs a market based on rules that respects consumers, rather than the unfair profits of the powerful, and a strong social state that reduces the cost of living, with good-quality health, education and a policy for housing that allows young people who want to start a family.