«Personal insults will not sway my determination to fight to the end to strengthen the Democratic Alliance,» Haris Kastanidis stated in a press release, following the decision by PASOK-KINAL President Nikos Androulakis to retain his parliamentary seat in Thessaloniki’s 1st electoral district, thereby leaving Kastanidis out of Parliament.
Mr. Kastanidis's full statement is as follows:
«The PASOK president informed me of his decision to run for the party’s seat in Thessaloniki A himself, at exactly the same time he was officially announcing it to the press.’.
I do not expect ethical standards in an era of political decline. Mr. Androulakis assessed the situation, weighed his options, and made his own decision—as, after all, he is entitled to do.
The decision by the PASOK chairman has practically no significance, since Parliament will convene for just one day and will be dissolved immediately.
In the symbolic and moral realm, however, it is of great importance, for reasons that only those with a historical awareness of the area can understand.
Personal attacks do not deter me from my obligation to fight to the end to strengthen the Democratic Party.
Whether I am a rank-and-file activist or a candidate on the ballot, it makes no difference, because I have never based my stance on official positions.
»The choices are Mr. Androulakis's.".
