Greek political movement ELAS has accused Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis of showing panic ahead of his upcoming speech at the Thessaloniki International Fair.
The criticism followed statements by government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis regarding the planned presentation of the ELAS party program by Alexis Tsipras in Thessaloniki on September 2.
In an official statement, ELAS said the remarks by the government spokesman revealed an unprecedented deficit of confidence and panic on the part of the prime minister. The political group added that panic is always a poor counselor.
Alexis Tsipras, the former prime minister of Greece, is scheduled to outline the political platform in Thessaloniki days before the prime minister addresses the event. Under normal circumstances, speaking at the opening of the fair after an opponent would be considered an advantage for a sitting leader, just as speaking after political rivals in the Greek Parliament is viewed as a benefit for the prime minister.
Comparisons over government record and corruption
However, ELAS asserted that Mitsotakis suffers from such a severe lack of self-confidence that no scheduling order can provide him with an edge. The group claimed the prime minister fears direct comparisons between his unfulfilled promises and his actual record in office.
The statement concluded by alleging that Mitsotakis specifically fears comparisons between political truth and government propaganda, as well as between honesty and corruption.
The political exchange comes amid wider activity across Greek politics ahead of the autumn session. Main opposition party SYRIZA-PS separately issued a statement claiming that Mitsotakis puts personal interest above the public interest.
In regional developments, Cypriot politician Annita Demetriou praised Greek leadership regarding the Great Sea Interconnector, a planned subsea electricity cable linking Cyprus and Greece, stating that Greece shows the way on energy infrastructure.
Economic policy and upcoming cabinet meeting
Economic measures for the Thessaloniki International Fair are also taking shape, with the government preparing announcements for self-employed professionals, including proposed reductions to imputed income tax thresholds.
The fair is Greece's primary annual economic forum, where political leaders outline national policy. Ahead of the event, the Greek Cabinet is scheduled to convene on Monday under the presidency of Prime Minister Mitsotakis to discuss major items on the government agenda.
