Debate cancelled

Although it was set for Monday June 11th, the debate between Antonis Samaras and Alexis Tsipras has been canceled.

According to reports, ND and SYRIZA disagree on the debate details, while ND states that though the name of Nikos Hatzinikolaou had been agreed on for carrying out the debate, suddenly SYRIZA tabled another journalist as well (Elli Stai).

Earlier, SYRIZA had proposed conducting two debates, one between Samaras and Tsipras and another with the participation of all leaders except Golden Dawn’s N. Michaloliakos.

In an official announcement, ND ascribes to SYRIZA an effort to avoid the critical questions of the election campaign through the cancellation of the pre-election debate.

A harsh statement by ND representative Yiannis Michelakis declares that SYRIZA might have accepted the debate proposal by the leader of New Democracy, but they tried their hardest to undermine it.

It lists the following as concerns what transpired between the two delegations: “The moment when everything had been agreed and the main principles and framework of the debate had been set, and while both sides were committed to a joint announcement within they day, SYRIZA issued two hasty statements, both yesterday afternoon and today, ignoring even their own reason and tearing down everything that had been previously agreed upon.

Secondly, while it was jointly decided that the debate would have been run by journalist Nikos Hatzinikolaou who, with his objectivity, authority and experience, was the commonly accepted person, all of a sudden SYRIZA added another journalist's name.

When both parties’ representatives shook hands on the debate, SYRIZA hurried to shuffle everything around: “journalists’ names, processes, even ridiculing other parties, in order to destroy everything”.

He concluded with a political attack against SYRIZA: “We understand Mr. Tsipras' anxiety to explain his positions and his support for the drachma lobby, for terrorism, the legalization of millions of illegal immigrants, our exit from NATO, the marches of his Youth in Skopje in order to give them the name of “Macedonia”, and the persistent advocacy in favor of illegal trade, hooded troublemakers and destroying the centers of Greek cities.

We understand Mr. Tsipras' anxiety, when faced Mr. Samaras, about explaining the alleged cost-free programme that will lead us to the drachma and isolation.

We understand his struggle to justify 7 out of 12 components, which frantically look for exits from Europe.

We understand the struggle to justify his MPs, who openly speak about a return to the drachma  and the deadly taxation of the income and deposits of Greek citizens.

The public behavior of SYRIZA clearly demonstrates the irresponsibility with which they treat they issues facing the country.

What SYRIZA has stated on the debates.

After days of silence, ND finally decided to announce its pre-assumed decision not to conduct debates, fearing the visibility and contrast of its positions before the Greek people. This is a cowardly political stance which exposes it irreparably.

There had been no agreement between the two parties since ND repeatedly looked for excuses and hid by postponing contacts between representatives of the parties, while it falsely leaked that an agreement had been decided upon. In today’s meeting between Mr. Pappas and Mr. Mouroutis, which took place after many attempts by SYRIZA to finally determine whether ND wanted to debate and given that time was pressing, it was revealed that Mr. Samaras is afraid.

We wanted to publicize this proposal for 2 debates so as to pressure ND, which pointed towards the path of continuous postponements of the TV debate, wanting to use it as a communication firework.

We remain firm in our position to conduct 2 debates, 1 with representatives of all parties except for Golden Dawn and one with Mr. Samaras, in view of a lively and open dialogue as is the case in all European countries. A dialogue which, as is proven, Mr. Samaras cannot bear. These proposals remain in effect and we are asking for specific answers, not slander.