Opposition MP Özgür Ferhat: "As the opposition, we have a duty to both monitor the government and propose solutions"

Özgür Ferhat, Member of Parliament for Rhodope with the New Left Party, responded to recent criticisms made by the government regarding the healthcare policies of past left-wing administrations.

Speaking in Parliament, Ferhat emphasized the essential role of the opposition in a functioning democracy:

“As a true opposition, we have the responsibility not only to monitor and scrutinize the government’s actions but also to propose ideas that benefit society and the public. That is our duty.”

Ferhat criticized the Health Minister for repeatedly accusing the opposition of engaging in “petty politics” and being hostile toward the Ministry’s administration.

“It would have been better if the Minister were present today, but I believe he will listen to this later. He frequently accuses the opposition, especially the Left, of obstructionist tactics. But the truth is, our role is to hold the government accountable.”

He urged the government to revisit the policies and achievements of the 2015–2019 administration, highlighting that Greece exited its bailout agreements in August 2018, thereby freeing the country from the constraints of international financial oversight.

“There are no more memorandums, no obligations, and no external pressure. On top of that, today’s government has access to the Recovery and Resilience Fund. The Minister should review the work of his predecessors, like Andreas Xanthos and Pavlos Polakis. Only then can we make a fair comparison and judge which government truly operated with a greater social vision.”

Ferhat concluded by inviting the current administration to engage in constructive dialogue rather than political deflection.