Anna Diamantopoulou responded sharply to the government’s slogan—‘Free 1 and Free 2’—by invoking the ‘free tough guys’ of the memorandum years, a pointed reference to political figures who made bold but unfulfilled promises during Greece’s austerity period. Speaking on Wednesday, 17 June 2026, on OPEN’s Hour of Greece programme, she stressed that PASOK is the only political force standing opposite New Democracy with a comprehensive programme and a clear vision ahead of the upcoming elections.
A coherent plan—not piecemeal promises
Diamantopoulou underscored that the party bearing the name of Charilaos Trikoupis does not offer fragmented proposals. Instead, every policy position is embedded within a broader strategic framework. On the question of governance, she stated plainly: ‘It will emerge from what the Greek people decide.’
She reiterated that PASOK is entering the elections aiming to become a central pole of power—not by issuing isolated announcements, but by presenting a unified vision. ‘PASOK has both vision and programme,’ she said, rejecting the logic of scattered electoral pledges. She added that election results won’t be determined solely by targeted measures for specific social groups.
Critique of the ‘benefit-for-every-problem’ approach
The former minister criticised New Democracy’s reliance on subsidies, describing it as a mindset where ‘for every problem, I’ll hand out an allowance.’ According to Diamantopoulou, this approach ‘reproduces poverty’ rather than tackling its roots. In contrast, she highlighted PASOK’s holistic plans covering transport, regional development, education, healthcare, digital transition, and industrial production.
Sharp remarks on Alexis Tsipras
Diamantopoulou was especially pointed in her comments about former Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras. ‘We’re not interested in what Tsipras says—he can say whatever he wants,’ she remarked, adding that he lacks the credibility to re-emerge as a credible alternative leader. She referenced his past promises during the memorandum years, suggesting his current statements betray a lack of reliability—‘as is evident from how he phrases them.’
No pre-election coalition talk
On coalition scenarios, she ruled out premature discussions, calling them damaging before the vote. ‘When a party starts naming its post-election partners early, it opens doors and windows—and loses voters,’ she said. Governance, she insisted, must follow the people’s verdict—not precede it.
Reaching out to centrist voters
Diamantopoulou also addressed centrist voters who shifted to New Democracy, saying PASOK ‘doesn’t gift them’ to either New Democracy or the Right. These citizens, she explained, sought security, certainty, justice, and a pro-European course—motivated largely at the time by fears of Tsipras’s return. When asked about governability, she affirmed Greece will not remain ungoverned—but stressed that lasting political change requires a strong PASOK, one capable of delivering ‘certainty, security, and perspective.’ ‘We won’t turn everything upside down again,’ she said.
Top priority: First place
Finally, Diamantopoulou raised the stakes for PASOK’s campaign, confirming its goal for the next election: ‘Our target is to be the first party.’