Antonis Samaras
Antonis Samaras
Antonis Samarasis a Greek politician who was Prime Minister of Greece from 2012 to 2015 and leader of New Democracy from 2009 to 2015. Samaras previously served as Minister of Finance in 1989, as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1989 to 1992, and as Minister of Culture and Sport in 2009...
NationalityGreek
ProfessionPolitician
Date of Birth23 May 1951
CityAthens, Greece
believe greek exit
We believe that what they call "Grexit" [a Greek exit from the eurozone] is not an option for us.
cutting mps president
We have decreased the salaries of everybody who partakes in politics, from the president to the prime minister to the MPs [members of Parliament]. We have cut expenditures that have to do with parliament. Everybody knows we are serious.
government order needs
During the socialist period, the government became too big. That created a crowding-out effect in the private economy, and it gave everybody the need to pay more taxes in order to finance this big government. We are against big government. We want a smaller and more efficient government.
country opportunity land
There are many people abroad who want to help, who want to invest. We will give them the red-carpet treatment. We want them to realize that this is a land of opportunity. It always has been so, but we never allowed foreign investment to come into this country.
country doe access
Other countries have access to the markets, whereas Greece does not. Therefore, we have to get liquidity through the ECB.
european greek people remain voted
The Greek people today voted for Greece to remain on its European path and in the eurozone.
austerity due goes imposition pretext program
If the program goes off track again due to recession, this should not become a pretext for the imposition of more austerity measures.
europe doubt position
Greece's position in Europe will not be put in doubt.
country faces critical-moments
I am fully aware of the critical moments we face as a country.
recovery goal firsts
Our first goal is to stop the recession and start with recovery.
way example best-way
The best way for someone to govern is to set an example.
kids years delay
There are certainly delays in this year's agreed program, and we must quickly catch up. Let's not kid ourselves, there is still big waste in the public sector, and it must stop.
invasion mass millions
There is a mass of immigrants, a million of them without work. We will stop this invasion.
country party third-parties
I cannot allow a third party to decide on my country's future.