PM needs to confirm whether reports that Merkel intervened are true, Charitsis says

The prime minister has an obligation to reveal whether the press reports claiming that German Chancellor Angela Merkel intervened to defuse tension with Turkey are true and on what terms this intervention occurred, main opposition SYRIZA spokesperson Alexis Charitsis said on Thursday, talking to the radio station 'Kanali Ena' in Piraeus.

"Unfortunately, the otherwise garrulous prime minister remained in hiding throughout a crucial day, such as yesterday, did not appear before the national legislature, did not convene the Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defence and only after pressure from [SYRIZA leader] Alexis Tsipras decided to inform the political leaders today," Charitsis said.

The prime minister's stance was dismissive of the political parties and the Greek people, who were watching with concern as the Turkish fleet sailed through the Aegean, he added.

"For some time we have pointed out that increasing Turkish provocativeness must be met promptly by all essential diplomatic actions," Charitsis noted, pointing out that SYRIZA had repeatedly raised the issue of sanctions on Turkey, a possibility that Tsipras had secured at the 2019 EU summit.

"The government needs to return to the dynamic, multidimensional foreign policy followed by SYRIZA in recent years," he said, citing examples like the Greek initiative for a EuroMediterranean summit to form a front of European South countries, or the Prespes agreement.

"Unfortunately, Mr. Mitsotakis also deals with foreign policy on communications terms," Charitsis added, saying the PM "talks of Turkey being isolated when the reactions on the part of our partners in the face of the constant violations of international law on Turkey's part are lukewarm". He also criticised the lack of a government reaction to the U.S. references to "disputed waters" near Kastellorizo.

He also strongly criticised the parliamentary session that voted to indict former minister Dimitris Papangelopoulos as "simply going through the motions", with "decisions taken in advance and a parliamentary investigation committee that did not take into account the evidence that arose during the months-long process". Charitsis also accused the ruling majority, assisted by opposition KINAL, "of acting on vindictive terms towards its political opponents" and appearing to overlook the fact that Novartis had admitted to bribing state officials in Greece and paid fines for its action in the U.S.