Maria Karystianou has unleashed a series of political "bombshells" during an exclusive interview with BankingNews.gr, speaking just before the highly anticipated announcement of her new political party. Addressing the labels frequently pinned on her, she clarifies: "I have been called far-left and far-right precisely because there is no label for what we are about to do. We are talking about a new ideology that, above all else, places the human being at the center."
Firmly believing in a "New Greece," she recalled a favorite childhood song and, in a move that seemingly trolls those who label her far-right, concluded the interview by quoting Mikis Theodorakis: "We are trying to turn the sun again to light up the country once more," she stated with determination. While the party’s name is yet to be finalized, planning teams are reportedly working feverishly on the policy program and final announcements.
The Mitsotakis-Erdogan meeting should not have happened
The former President of the Tempi Victims' Association launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis regarding his meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on February 11. She highlighted Turkey’s issuance of an illegal, indefinite NAVTEX as a primary concern. "Seeing Turkey's aggressive stance and hearing Fidan say they won't leave the table without a solution, while we face an indefinite NAVTEX without our own ANTINAVTEX, creates anxiety and insecurity for me. I fear Mitsotakis will sit at the table to discuss without saying anything. Under these conditions, I believe the meeting should not have taken place," Karystianou argues.
Deletion of "eternal" students is fascist
Maria Karystianou described the government's decision to delete "eternal" students from university rolls as both "tragic and fascist." She questioned the right of the state to revoke an achievement like passing the Panhellenic Exams. "I consider it ugly, fascist I would say, for someone to delete these students," she emphasized, promising that if her political venture succeeds, she will facilitate the re-enrollment of the 280,000 students who were removed on December 31, 2025.
Article 86 proposal is "fake and pretextual"
Regarding constitutional reform, specifically Article 86 concerning ministerial responsibility, Karystianou dismissed the government's proposal as insincere. "Article 86 is what allowed this level of interlocking interests in the country. Mr. Mitsotakis's proposal is completely fake; he could have done it in 2019, not now, just before the elections," she noted.
All MPs ignored 1.3 million citizens
She pointed out that 1.3 million signatures from citizens demanding the complete abolition of the law on ministerial responsibility have already been submitted to Parliament. "We requested the full abolition of Article 86 with 1.3 million signatures, yet not one of the 300 MPs brought the matter for discussion, effectively ignoring the signatures of so many citizens," she remarked.
In favor of referendums
Karystianou spoke out in favor of referendums, countering government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis’s claims regarding their cost. "I do not believe cost is a problem for referendums; they should be held for specific issues. Certainly, the funds can be found if we cut out kickbacks and direct assignments for overpriced projects," she stated.
Remarks on Maria Negreponti-Delivanis
Addressing her relationship with the former Rector of AUTH, Maria Negreponti-Delivanis, who previously supported a return to the drachma, Karystianou was clear: "She is highly distinguished. While she supported the drachma 20 years ago, today she says that would be unfeasible and criminal. Obviously, we are not discussing leaving the Euro; that is a joke." Finally, when asked about support from those labeled "conspiracy theorists" by the media, she replied that she doesn't recognize such labels. "It is very ugly for some to want to divide people. We are all citizens and we want to live with dignity," she concluded.
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