The bureau of the S&D Group today concluded a two-day meeting in Greece, where the MEPs met with PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis. The meeting included civil society and trade union representatives, refugee women, journalists and the former leader of PASOK and Deputy Prime Minister Evangelos Venizelos. All parties shared their concerns on current challenges such as high unemployment and precarious jobs, especially among the young; the growing cost of energy and difficult access to housing; as well as the threats to media freedom and to the rule of law.
S&D Group leader, Iratxe García, said:
“This visit has given us the opportunity to learn about the reality of this country: Greece needs a change. It is needed for young people, for women, to make a green transition and to have a government that is much closer to citizens, one that solves their problems.
“Nikos Androulakis is the leader that Greece needs to make the changes, to implement the solutions, and to do it with a progressive vision, to achieve a fairer, more social and more egalitarian Greece.”
PASOK president and S&D MEP, Nikos Androulakis, said:
“We have a duty in Greece to build a credible state that will guarantee the public interest. A strong liberal democracy that respects human rights and a resilient economy that reduces inequalities and gives prospects to younger generations.
“All this time, we have been trying to transform this concern into policy and actions. I am very happy to have President Iratxe García Perez and the S&D Bureau on our side, and I believe that we can achieve our goal for a strong Greece in a Europe that guarantees a better future for all European peoples.”