"Let us unite our forces, our concerns and hopes to build a common democratic home for a strong and fair Greece, within a Europe of solidarity," opposition PASOK-KINAL party leader Nikos Androulakis urged voters during a campaign speech in the city of Larissa, ahead of the European Parliament elections on June 9.
"For this reason, in the last 20 days remaining until the elections, we must unite our forces to make the democratic party strong again," he said.
Androulakis lashed out at the government over the state of the economy and referred to the Tempi train crash. He slammed the government, stating that "Greeks know the meaning of social injustice all too well," and spoke of the problems faced by Thessaly and the rest of Greece due to the climate crisis. He claimed there was a lack of prevention measures against such phenomena, while accusing the government "of an inability to plan for the extreme effects of climate change".
Regarding the high cost of living, Androulakis said that the government has not provided any solutions but relies solely on communication and has "staged a new comedy" with the latter to Ursula von der Leyen. He said that high prices could be found everywhere, in rents, food inflation and accused the government of not wanting to confront powerful interests.
"Oligopolies in the food market, in private health services, in energy, everywhere," said Androulakis, while asserting that PASOK has the strength and political autonomy to clash with the powerful to support the common interest.
Among others, Androulakis said that real estate was not development, noting that his party has a progressive democratic, and meritocratic plan for a different Greece, where the new generation will stay in the country to generate wealth. He noted that the dilemma presented in the European elections was the kind of development the country needs, adding that PASOK is fighting for a primary sector with dignity, a strong social state for all, a strong public health system that has health centers everywhere and doctors who have permanent jobs, as well as a strong state education system.