Left-wing populism

Just a day before the campaign period for the European elections ends, rival political parties have set their respective thresholds for relative success.

New Democracy enjoys a 15.1-point lead over its main rival SYRIZA, an opinion poll has found.

Conducted by Marc for ANT1 TV, the poll of voting intentions in Sunday's European Parliament election put the governing conservative party on 29.8%, left-wing SYRIZA on 14.8% and socialist PASOK on 9.8%.

Main opposition party SYRIZA leader Stefanos Kasselakis has challenged Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to a debate, SYRIZA spokesperson Voula Kehagia announced Tuesday.

This call comes amidst a war of words between the two parties ahead of Sunday's European elections. 

After being chided by the government over revealing his financial standing during a pre-election rally ahead of Sunday's European polls, the head of the main opposition lashed out again on Tuesday over ruling New Democracy's loan arrangements with the country's banks.

The president of SYRIZA repeated the allegations about the criminal investigation that persecuted his family and forced him to leave for the USA, presented a table with large income, small deposits and large debts for 2023 and then - as usual - he attacked "Proto Thema"

Main opposition SYRIZA leader Stefanos Kasselakis published his wealth declaration on Monday during a speech in Thessaloniki. 

"I was not born rich," emphasized Kasselakis. "Behind me you can the see the [financial] records for 2023," he stated, as a table with his financial records appeared in a video wall next to the stage.  

Conservative Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Monday attacked main opposition leader Stefanos Kasselakis, labeling him a toxic and populist politician while criticizing his economic policy proposals as unrealistic.

Two polls released on Friday showed the ruling New Democracy (ND) leading main opposition SYRIZA by just over 15 points ahead of the June 9 European elections. 

The first poll, conducted by Marc, put the difference between New Democracy and SYRIZA at 15.3%.

SYRIZA leader Stefanos Kasselakis walked out of an interview with a local radio station on the island of Rhodes on Friday, prompting criticism from the ruling New Democracy (ND) party. 

New Democracy (ND), SYRIZA, PASOK and KKE are holding their main pre-election rallies next week in Athens and Thessaloniki ahead of the June 9 European elections.

Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis is expected to give a speech in ND's main pre-election rally at Syntagma square, in Athens on Friday, June 7. He will also appear at Thessaloniki on Wednesday, June 5.