Androulakis slams Greek government's energy policy as 'failure', accuses ND of propaganda

Energy policy under fire

Nikos Androulakis, president of the main opposition PASOK-KINAL, held a press conference at the party's headquarters on Charilaou Trikoupi street on 21 July 2026, where he delivered a sweeping critique of the government's energy strategy. He described the policy as a failure that is felt daily in household budgets and production costs. "The government's failure in energy policy is reflected daily in the cost of living and production costs," Androulakis said, flanked by party energy-sector officials. He argued that while the government claims Greece has some of the cheapest tariffs in Europe, data presented by PASOK shows energy remains very expensive for consumers and businesses alike.

The cost of living due to energy is very high, as is the cost of producing goods. Their failure is paid for by the farmer, the livestock breeder, the manufacturer, the household, every day.

Contradictions on natural gas and lignite

Androulakis zeroed in on what he called a fundamental contradiction: the government says it wants to reduce dependence on imported natural gas, yet it is accelerating the de-lignitisation process by shutting down the modern Ptolemaida 5 lignite plant and converting it into a natural gas unit. He accused the administration of leading the plant to a "sudden death" and questioned whether a coherent plan exists. The PASOK leader also criticised the criteria used for allocating electricity production space, calling it "the biggest scandal" in the energy sector and suggesting they serve private economic interests rather than the public good.

Nice communication tricks and nice videos by Mr. Mitsotakis, but the harsh reality is seen in the citizens' pockets.

Cyprus electricity link and geopolitical concerns

The press conference also targeted the long-delayed electricity interconnection between Greece and Cyprus. Androulakis demanded that the prime minister and the foreign ministry announce a clear timeline for the EU-funded project, which he linked to the country's sovereign rights. He described the recent blame game between Athens and Nicosia as leaving a "dismal impression" and warned that the lack of progress is not just amateurish but dangerous.

They are not only amateurs, they are also dangerous.

Response to 'toxic centre' accusations

Androulakis did not limit his attack to energy. Asked about Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis's recent criticism of the opposition as a "toxic centre", he fired back by accusing the ruling New Democracy party of running an online propaganda machine modelled on the former SYRIZA-ANEL government. He said it was "absolute adventurism and an insult to citizens' intelligence" for a party that spreads fake news to lecture others on political culture. Party officials interpreted his reference to the SYRIZA-ANEL era as confirmation of a two-front strategy against both the current government and the left-wing opposition under Alexis Tsipras.

It is absolute adventurism and an insult to citizens' intelligence for a party which, following the model of SYRIZA and ANEL, has a propaganda mechanism on the internet to attack political opponents and the truth, a party that is a protagonist in fake news and toxicity, to give lessons in political culture.

PASOK's alternative and next steps

Androulakis outlined his party's vision for a "green, fair and resilient" energy transition that prioritises investments in networks and storage, and gives priority access to small producers, cooperatives, municipalities and manufacturers. He stressed that the goal must be low production costs and reduced dependence on third countries amid heightened geopolitical tensions. The PASOK leader announced that he will present additional proposals to lower energy costs during his appearance at the Thessaloniki International Fair in September.