“The stronger New Democracy is in the European elections on June 9, the stronger our national voice will be in Brussels.” This is the message sent through the newspaper “Peloponnisos” by Eliza Vozeberg, who will be in Patras today at an event ahead of the European elections that will be organized at 20:00 at the “My Way” hotel.
“Our national goal for the next five years is to keep our homeland at the heart of the Union and to continue the fight for the real convergence of Greece with Europe,” said the Greek MEP, who will be a candidate again.
– First of all, we would like you to give us a short account of your previous term in the European Parliament. Where did you focus? What did you achieve?
It is difficult to condense the work of five years into just a few lines. In my current term, I made approximately 300 interventions and questions and focused on the issues of my competence, such as, among others, immigration, Greek-Turkish, equality, transport and tourism. If I were to single out something, it would be the adoption of the Directive on combating violence against women and domestic violence, because I feel it as a personal vindication after the struggles I have waged for this purpose from the position of vice-president of the competent Committee on the Rights of Women of Women and Gender Equality. It was an important step, which I would call historic, as after many years of efforts we finally have the greatest institutional protection against the most heinous form of human rights violation.
– What is New Democracy’s goal in these European elections?
The goal of the ND is the next day to have a very strong Eurogroup, which will fight in the European Parliament for the interests of our country. The stronger New Democracy is in the European elections on 9 June, the stronger our national voice will be in Brussels, the more power we will have to claim what we can achieve and the more confidence we will have to continue our reform agenda. project in our country.
– Why should we vote for New Democracy on June 9 and why you personally?
New Democracy is the faction that put Greece in Europe, it has always been on the right side of history and has proven over time that it knows how to claim and can worthily represent our country in international fora. As far as I am concerned, during my tenure I have worked with all my might to promote and serve our national interests. I will do the same, if in the next term with the vote of the citizens I will have the honor to continue to represent our country in the European Parliament.
– What is your prediction for ND ahead of June 9? What percentages will it reach? And how many MEPs can he elect? What will you be satisfied with?
In all opinion polls, without exception, the ND has a significant lead and strong acceptance of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Despite the problems, which naturally exist, citizens evaluate positively and recognize the overall work of the government. That is why I believe that they will give another victory to the great liberal faction of the ND and that it is possible to increase our strength to 9 seats. Undoubtedly, a strong ND Eurogroup will be able to support our national interests more effectively and get our positions across to Brussels more easily.
– Are the serious reforms made by the government or a possible trust from the Greek diaspora sufficient for the electorate to choose her again? Will the case of Tempe also play a role in the balance?
Citizens do not forget that in 2019, when the ND took over the government of the country, the economy was under pressure from 50 additional taxes, unemployment was 18%, the minimum wage was 650 euros, investments were minimal and exports were low, our borders were almost unguarded and in Europe we were on the sidelines of developments. Today and despite the serious external obstacles that intervened, such as the pandemic, the energy crisis and the war, everything in our country has changed for the better.
We have an investment-grade recovery, growth twice the eurozone average, a 12-year increase in wages and pensions, leaps in digitalisation and single-digit unemployment, while businesses and households have been relieved of dozens of tax and levy burdens. At the same time our defense is stronger than ever, the borders are effectively guarded, the international prestige of our country has been upgraded and our national voice resonates in international fora stronger than ever. The opposition, having nothing to oppose in the face of the government’s undisputed successes, saw the Tempe tragedy as an opportunity for political exploitation. With fake news, non-existent rumors and exploitation of human suffering, he launched a disinformation campaign. But only Justice has the last word and any attempt to use this tragedy as a tool will fall into the void.
– A right-wing to far-right shift is observed in the electoral map of Europe. What does this mean; How is it explained and in the case of extreme elements how is it treated?
The time when extreme, xenophobic and populist parties were small minorities in Europe and indeed without parliamentary representation, already seems distant. This electoral trend has been recorded for several years in most Member States. It had as its starting point the weakening of the principles of European solidarity and the failures of European policy on key issues, such as the economic crisis, austerity policies and immigration management, which fueled ethno-populism. The only answer to populism and extremism is to entrench democracy, strengthen citizens’ trust in the EU and safeguard the principles of solidarity and cooperation.
– What do our European partners say about Greece? How do they treat us?
The image of Greece in Europe has changed radically after 2019. The ND government and Kyriakos Mitsotakis personally have upgraded the international prestige of our country. From being the “black sheep” of Europe, we are now key co-shapers of European developments and a pole of stability in South-Eastern Europe. In fact, our European partners particularly recognize the leading role played by the Greek Prime Minister in the major common challenges for the EU, from the management of the pandemic and the Recovery Fund, to the new CAP and support to Ukraine.
– What will be the biggest challenges in the term of the new European Parliament?
A great challenge is the human geography that will be formed in the next composition of the European Parliament to move within the democratic arc. Because the decisions that will be taken in the next five years on a series of critical issues, such as the fiscal stability framework, immigration and the new CAP, concern the lives of all of us and will determine the prospects of United Europe. Furthermore, our national goal for the next five years is to keep our homeland at the heart of the Union and to continue the fight for the real convergence of Greece with Europe, while looking forward to the political and institutional deepening of the Union.
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