During a press briefing for political journalists, Mr. Marinakis clarified that this is a judicial matter and noted that “the bar is set at 151 for clear reasons of order and principle,” regardless of constitutional experts’ opinions. He stressed that the government aims for “the number 155, representing the strength of the New Democracy Parliamentary Group.”
In his opening statements, Mr. Marinakis announced an impending increase in fines for smuggling activities and confirmed that property transfers will resume, even for those participating in debt settlement agreements.
He also delivered a robust critique of Alexis Tsipras and his recent advocacy for a “new patriotism.” Marinakis remarked, “If we evaluate based on the old patriotism—such as capital controls, misleading citizens, and the so-called proud negotiations—we’ll skip the new one. The last prime minister from the post-junta era who should discuss Balkanization is Alexis Tsipras.” He acknowledged Tsipras’s right to propose new ideas but argued that his actions contradict his rhetoric.
When questioned about Antonis Samaras’s interventions, Marinakis stated there was nothing significant to address. “Our focus is to execute the program that the people elected us for. That’s what citizens expect from us—whether we adhere to our commitments.”
He also indicated that the criteria for establishing marine parks “are advancing solely based on environmental factors, prioritizing more ecologically sensitive areas, with plans for additional parks. These are vital initial steps.” In response to a question about whether Turkey might establish its own marine parks, Marinakis termed it a hypothetical issue and reaffirmed that “Greece’s position on protecting national rights and sovereignty remains steadfast.”
Concerning the planned march to Gaza by Greeks to deliver humanitarian aid, Marinakis stated that if such a request has been made, the government will assist in ensuring their safety. Regarding the ship Madleen, he mentioned that the specifics of the situation are still unclear and reiterated the importance of adhering to international law. “The key issue is a ceasefire and the delivery of humanitarian assistance,” he noted, highlighting Greece’s pivotal role—especially during its presidency of the UN Security Council—in passing a significant resolution supported by 80 nations.
Additionally, he characterized the visit of Haftar’s son as a private affair, clarifying that there were no discussions with Greek officials. “The Turkey-Libya memorandum is illegal and lacks legal validity—that hasn’t changed,” he asserted, emphasizing that Greece is committed to active diplomacy with Libya.
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