Opposition Party defends FYROM protest after PM’s remarks

The Leader of the main opposition Party New Democracy defended the mass protests in Athens after the Greek PM’s apparent dismissive remarks suggesting the protests would not influence his negotiations.

"New Democracy and I personally defended the right of the citizens to protest freely, peacefully and democratically, as provided in the Constitution," main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis said.

"The expression of national pride by hundreds of thousands of citizens who gathered at Syntagma Square from every part of the country did not have a political colour. Nobody is entitled to politically exploit such a large gathering," Mitsotakis said.

"The citizens expressed their agony. The lack of confidence in a government that, instead of cooperating with the opposition and jointly shape the national line, it did whatever possible to divide the political parties and the Greek people over a crucial national issue," he added.

Meanwhile State Minister and government spokesman Dimitris Tzanakopoulos said on Monday in statements to public broadcaster ERT that main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis must state his position on the negotiation (on the FYROM name issue).

The government's stance is not different from the stance of previous governments over the last ten years, he underlined and asked Mitsotakis if he deletes everything said in 2007 and afterwards.

He also wondered if the slogan 'no use of the term Macedonia' by our neighbours is a position that should and can be adopted by the Greek foreign policy. He added that "this is the great issue."

"Mr Mitsotakis must clearly state if his party and himself adopt this political position" that was expressed in the rally.