Mitsotakis and Androulakis clash over agriculture and presidential election
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and opposition PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis engaged in a heated exchange in parliament on Friday over Greece’s agricultural sector.
Androulakis accused the government of mismanaging the sector, citing rising production costs, delayed subsidies and threats to farmers’ land. “You have failed, and this is evident in the problems farmers face,” Androulakis said. He also criticized the government for its energy policies and failure to modernize the primary sector.
Mitsotakis rejected the criticism, defending the government’s record on reducing taxes for farmers and implementing measures to help struggling cooperatives. “Reality refutes [Androulakis’] nihilistic protest slogans,” he said, adding that there is no “magical” solution to reducing energy prices.
The debate also touched on the election of Greece’s next president, with Androulakis questioning Mitsotakis’ choice of Kostas Tassoulas. “For the first time in 30 years, a prime minister has chosen a candidate from his own party,” Androulakis said. Mitsotakis dismissed the criticism, stating, “It’s not for you to claim that only your political camp can offer consensual candidates.”
Kathimerini
