Gov't spokesman responds to SYRIZA criticism on proposed ERT head

The former government discredited public television and turned it into a party mouthpiece, Government Spokesman Stelios Petsas said on Monday, responding to the former ruling party's criticism of the new management at national broadcaster Greek Radio and Television (ERT).

"SYRIZA discredited public television and turned it into a party mouthpiece," he said, adding that "as was noted in the new government's policy statements, our basic aim is to restore confidence in and protect the independence of public television, respecting the taxpayers' money, and to secure plurality and a quality program."

The public already has first samples of this, Petsas said, and will be able to compare and contrast.

Earlier, the main opposition party had accused the government of harboring "absolutist ideas" and wanting "direct control" of national TV from the prime minister's office. The criticism was prompted by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis' proposal for the new head, Constantine Zoulas.

In a press release titled "The State is me (and my friends)," SYRIZA said the decision by Mitsotakis to propose the former director of his press office as ERT president shows his plan to "place the state in the service of New Democracy and of Mr. Mitsotakis personally."