On Tuesday, 30 March 2026, PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis continued his tour of the Dodecanese with a visit to Olympos, a historic village on the island of Karpathos. His stop combined local engagement — including sharing traditional dishes like stuffed peppers and courgette flowers — with pointed political messaging aimed at the current government.
A Message of Solidarity and Local Concerns
Before turning to policy, Androulakis expressed solidarity with families affected by the recent apartment building collapse in Petralona, Athens, and praised the rescue teams working on-site. In Karpathos, he highlighted pressing local issues: chronic staff shortages at the island’s hospital, persistent water scarcity, and the urgent need for infrastructure investment to support agriculture, light industry, and tourism.
His broader message was clear: regions like Karpathos cannot rely solely on the resilience of their residents. Sustainable development requires targeted national support and long-term planning.
Cost of Living: ‘A New Communications Show’
Androulakis dismissed the government’s latest cost-of-living measures as “a new communications show.” He referenced previous initiatives — including the letter sent to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the so-called ‘baskets’ of essential goods, and the recent ‘gentlemen’s agreement’ on price reductions — arguing that none have delivered tangible relief. Instead, he warned, they risk deepening inequality and worsening everyday hardship.
According to PASOK, real solutions include market oversight through Greece’s Competition Commission and the Unified Consumer Authority, alongside concrete fiscal measures: lowering VAT and the special consumption tax.
Four-Day Workweek and Labour Rights
Reacting to OTE’s announcement of a voluntary four-day workweek pilot, Androulakis reaffirmed PASOK’s proposal for a structured trial: full pay for employees in companies with more than 20 staff, particularly in knowledge-intensive roles. He accused New Democracy of responding with “unprecedented populism” — not only to this proposal but also to PASOK’s plan for social housing.
“It’s not PASOK they’re mocking,” he said. “It’s the daily struggles of the Greek people.” Linking labour rights and housing policy to the broader call for political change, he stressed that Greece needs a more humane everyday life — one defined by stronger worker protections and a meaningful housing strategy.
“I guarantee that this political change will bring a government programme that improves the daily lives of all Greeks,” he added.
Local Encounters and Symbolic Moments
In Olympos, Androulakis held meetings with Karpathos Mayor Michalis Fellouzis and Metropolitan Ambrosios of Karpathos and Kasos. The visit also included relaxed, culturally grounded moments — sharing local food and connecting with residents — underscoring PASOK’s emphasis on both grassroots presence and national vision.