Interview: Greek conservatives offer "realistic hope" in Jan. 25 general elections: former minister

Greece's ruling conservative New Democracy (ND) party offers "realistic hope" in a European perspective in the forthcoming Jan. 25 general elections against Radical Left SYRIZA's "political illusions" which will put the country at risk as it exits a painful five-year debt crisis, former Development Minister Kostis Hatzidakis told Xinhua in a recent interview.

As the Greek bailout expires in late February voters go to the polls to choose the direction the country will head to in coming years.

All recent opinion polls show SYRIZA holding a lead riding a wave of frustration with austerity policies implemented to avert a financial meltdown despite the positive economic indexes of recent months.

The party's rhetoric over a tough renegotiation of post-bailout terms with international creditors, who have kept Greece afloat with multi-billion-euro rescue loans, has raised concern over a potential clash which could lead the country back to the brink of bankruptcy and exit from the eurozone, according to analysts.

"This is a historic election. We have to choose between a European path for our country or to succumb to populism," Hatzidakis told Xinhua in an interview at his office.

The politician, who has served as Transport Minister (2007-2009) and as Development Minister until June 2014, expressed hope that his party will win again, as it did in the 2012 double elections.

"I believe that because we are telling the truth. And this is our power. And I think that the power of the truth will prevail. This is about our generation. We have to protect the interests of our families. I am sure that Greeks will not put our country at risk," he said.

Why is SYRIZA's economic program putting Greece at risk?

For Hatzidakis, regarded as one of the most prominent members of ND and a close aide of Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, it is unrealistic and it does not belong to the framework of the policies implemented in the European Union.

"We have to be a member state of the European Union (EU) and of the eurozone. In order to achieve this objective we have to abide by the rule, it is as clear as that," he argued.

Leftists accuse the outgoing conservatives and socialists coalition government of failing to effectively negotiate with EU and International Monetary Fund lenders. They claim that a more aggressive stance in negotiations with creditors will bear more fruits for Greece.

"This approach in my view is a rather naive approach. Simplistic. We all love our country, both the ND MPs and the SYRIZA MPs. There is no doubt about that. The question is which is the realistic path," Hatzidakis responded.

"We have negotiated with our creditors very hard. Believe me. I participated in these negotiations in many rounds. And we followed the same path with the Portuguese, the Irish, the Cypriots; we didn't follow our own way. We followed the road of Europe, of common sense if you like," he said.

"What SYRIZA claims is absolutely populistic and that is why I believe that if such a government is elected it will put our country in troubles," Hatzidakis added.

The safe way forward according to ND's proposal which was presented a few days ago by Samaras is based on two studies made by the Athens-based think tank Foundation for Economic and Industrial Research (IOBE) and the multinational consulting firm McKinsey.

The program foresees the implementation of further reforms to boost competitiveness and growth and create jobs, as well as relief measures for tax payers with emphasis put on the groups of society most affected by the crisis.

"What we offer is a realistic hope for our people in a European perspective for our country. On the contrary what SYRIZA is offering is political illusions ... We have to remain credible and we have to continue serving the interests of our country. This is our approach, our decision," Hatzidakis told Xinhua.

In regards to the party's approach for the resolution of Greece's sovereign debt load problem the former minister pointed to the November 2012 Eurogroup agreement which foresees the "reexamination of the Greek debt on a realistic approach" based on substantial progress concerning fiscal adjustment and the adoption of structural reforms.

Hatzidakis expects most likely a grace period or an extension or lower objectives concerning the primary surplus.

"All these measures will be a relief for Greece. SYRIZA is asking our partners to write off once again part of the Greek debt. We already know that the answer of the other member states of the European Union will be negative," he stressed.

"There is realistic hope for Greece provided of course that we will continue to follow the path we followed up to now. That means fiscal adjustment, balanced budgets, adoption of structural reforms, and competitiveness for our economy and based on that a discussion with our partners concerning some relief for our public debt," he explained.

Hatzidakis assures foreign investors that there will be no capital flight, default or a Greek exit from the eurozone, expressing confidence that Greek voters will make the "right choice."

"I believe that investors do not have any reasons to fear because as I said truth will prevail. A credible government will be formed and Nea Democratia (New Democracy) will be the basic pillar of this government. That's why I believe that the investors do not have any reasons to fear for developments in this country," he concluded. Endit