The Mitsotakis-Samaras feud is raging: “Let’s deal with the serious issues at our borders” –

Associates of former Prime Minister Antonis Samaras responded to Kyriakos Mitsotakis‘ remarks about “giftedness” regarding Nikos Pappa.

“It is obvious that Mr. Mitsotakis is attacking Mr. Samaras not because he greeted the official opposition leader who happened to be sitting next to him at a public event… After all, Mr. Samaras’ statement about the Novartis scandal, that he will take all those responsible” until the end”, is valid in its entirety. The real reason lies in the “calm waters” with Turkey, which are disturbed every day now, through successive provocations. Like this one just now, with Turkey’s new Navtex. Who informed us that not only Kasos but neither Lesbos nor Chios have a continental shelf! So let’s deal with the serious stuff, at our borders. No more really dangerous charades, short-lived ‘friendship pacts’ and bowings.” they report.

Earlier, during the Parliament session, Kyriakos Mitsotakis said “I do not recognize 13-0” and left the room when the president of the SYRIZA Parliamentary Group took the podium.

Nikos Pappas commented on this fact saying that the presence of Mr. Mitsotakis in the Parliament is not a favor but his obligation. “I will not demand more respect from the National delegation than the level of self-respect he has for himself. He sets the level lower every day and successfully manages to go below it.”

The prime minister, in this way, legitimized PaSoK and Nikos Androulakis as his main opponent and at the same time avoids any negotiation with Nikos Pappa. Mr. Mitsotakis is making this strategic move for two reasons. Because, as they say, Nikos Pappas has been convicted by the Special Court, and on the other hand he is a transitional president of SYRIZA.

Obviously, the Prime Minister’s move is inversely similar to that of Antonis Samaras at an event of the Professional Chamber a few days ago. The former president of New Democracy and prime minister in the period 2012-15 had warmly greeted Nikos Pappa and, sitting side by side, they had talked for some time.