V. Kikilias: “Society and the many are in our political movement’s DNA – We will be judged on our record in 2027”

Support for society and citizens, along with New Democracy’s priorities ahead of the 2027 elections, were the focus of an interview given by Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy Vassilis Kikilias to OPEN television journalists Spyros Charitatos and Alexandra Chatzigeorgiou.

“At the end of the day, what matters to society and to citizens is what we do to support them, to help them. That is what we are judged on politically. New Democracy is more than a party. It is a broad political movement, and it does not let others define it,” Mr Kikilias said.

As he stressed, “That is our movement’s DNA. It is the middle class, working people, the many, society as a whole, which must be supported when it faces difficulties of this magnitude.” He added: “This effort is about society and people. It is about the many, about public sector workers, private sector workers and pensioners who are struggling. These are the people we must protect.”

Referring to the opposition, he said: “Political parties have been founded, and others will be. There is the opposition. Who is the opposition? There is PASOK, with its ‘money tree’ proposals and a political approach that is beyond critique. I hear Mr Tsipras’s Greek Left Alliance (ELAS) putting forward policies and proposals that are unrealistic. All of this makes it self-evident that we will be judged on our record. Do not underestimate people, our fellow citizens. They know very well how to judge.”

“At New Democracy, we bring citizens together. Our founding declaration, which sets out how we serve society and put the country and society first, then our political movement and then the party, is more relevant than ever,” he emphasised.

He also noted: “We continue to believe firmly that our work, our efforts, our handling of crises — and we have faced more than a few over these years — and our support for the wider public and society will also determine how we approach the elections. This is our movement’s DNA, and a vision and a source of hope for the future: good, well-paid jobs, security at home and abroad, the opportunity for real growth, and a framework that connects and unites us with the hearts and souls of the Greek people.”

The Minister linked this political direction to the Ministry’s work, stressing: “This is the kind of plan we are pursuing at the Ministry of Maritime Affairs. Our relations with America, with Israel, with Egypt and many other countries through ocean-going shipping. The potential for shipping, together with tourism and coastal ferry services, to make a significant contribution to our country’s GDP.”

Turning to the recruitment of 420 new Coast Guard personnel, for which applications opened yesterday, Mr Kikilias noted that the recruitment process is being conducted digitally and that applications will remain open for two weeks.

“We want to bring them into the Coast Guard. We want them to play an active part in this effort, in ensuring security and protecting our borders,” he said.

He also spoke about the employment opportunities being created across the sector: “420 jobs, alongside the jobs provided by ocean-going shipping, the cruise industry and coastal ferry services. Our children’s future, their ability to buy a home, to rent a home, to start a family, to look ahead with optimism.”

In closing, Mr Kikilias said: “For me, at this critical time, there is no room for anyone to lose their bearings or stray from their course. We must remain true to our movement’s principles and values. This is about society and the many. It has nothing to do with gossip or petty politics. It is about the fundamental course we must continue to chart for the future, so that citizens continue to place their trust in us. That is what we will be judged on at the elections — not how loudly we speak on television panels, nor who thinks they can secure a narrow party advantage for a day or an hour.”