\n<\/p>\n
Former deputy prime minister and PASOK leader Evangelos Venizelos sharply criticized Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis during a speech at the ongoing PASOK party congress Saturday, accusing the New Democracy government of overseeing a \u201cgeneralized crisis\u201d in Greece\u2019s democratic institutions and the rule of law.<\/p>\n
From the conference podium, Venizelos targeted Mitsotakis\u2019 leadership, describing it as \u201ccentralized and personalistic,\u201d characterized by deliberate polarization and tension rather than consensus and cooperation with opposition parties. \u201cHe does this for self-protection due to the accumulation of scandals that could at any moment take explosive dimensions,\u201d Venizelos said.<\/p>\n
Venizelos outlined what he called the failures of Mitsotakis\u2019 seven-year tenure, citing the wiretapping scandal, the Tempe railway disaster and the controversial handling of government accountability, the OPEKEPE farm subsidies scandal, and a widespread perception of corruption and lack of transparency.<\/p>\n
He also criticized the government for its inability to manage routine natural events, missed opportunities to restructure Greece\u2019s economy despite a surge in European funds, rising inequalities, and pervasive subjective poverty affecting 67% of citizens. \u201cGreece lags behind in all European rankings with no prospect of catching up in the coming years,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Venizelos concluded by urging PASOK to secure its political and programmatic autonomy and aim for electoral victory, calling the party a \u201cparty of responsibility and power\u201d that must address all Greek citizens directly, beyond past electoral choices. \u201cThis must be accompanied by unity, seriousness, and weight \u2013 both of personalities and positions,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
PASOK\u2019s congress wraps up Sunday.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n