Main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou stressed that it was the country’s future that was at stake in the Oct. 4 general elections, and not the fate of (prime minister) Costas Karamanlis or himself, in an interview which appeared in a weekend newspaper.
Papandreou said the election outcome was “whether we will continue on the course towards decay, financial and moral crisis, towards a decline in values, or, whether we will come out of the quagmire with a collective effort that will unite all creative forces of the country.
The PASOK leader expressed certainty that Greek voters will opt for a strong, stand-alone majority government, and warned that he will not allow the crucial electoral showdown to degenerate into a “cock fight”, adding that he will invite the prime minister to an “upgraded pre-electoral dialogue process”.
Mr Papandreou said that in any eventuality, including a PASOK stand-alone majority , he will seek consensus and cooperation with the wider progressive political and social forces because “that is what is required, given the magnitude of the problems faced by the country, by the ambitious goals we are setting”.
He also said he will be tough on corruption, and that from his very first moment in power will make every possible effort to clear up all the “fetid cases” that have hurt the Greek people.
A PASOK government will feature a smaller number of ministers and deputy ministers, Papandreou said, adding that there are very many worthy Greeks “outside of PASOK but also outside the political parties in general” whom he will invite to contribute, and take on positions of responsibility.