The broad meeting convened by its president is currently underway in Heraklion PASOK – Kinal, Nikos Androulakiswith the participation of local authorities and bodies of Crete, in the Regional Council hall in Eleftherias square. The initiative comes in the wake of the tragic events in Vorizia, which once again brought to the fore the acute problem of gun ownership and gun use on the island.
According to Nea kriti, the meeting was attended by, among others, the regional governor of Crete Stavros Arnautakis, the PASOK MPs from Crete, the mayor Heraklion Alexis Kalokairinos, o independent member of parliament Evangelos Apostolakis, the actor and head of PASOK Culture Michalis Aerakis, as well as representatives of the police and local government, such as the regional police director of Crete Nikos Spyridakis and the deputy regional governors of Heraklion and Chania Nikos Syrigonakis and Nikos Kalogeris respectively.
«A society struggling to close painful circles»
Opening the debate, Nikos Androulakis harshly criticized the government, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach to violence and its social causes. «We live in a society that struggles to close painful circles», he said, stressing that dealing with the phenomena of violence cannot be limited to communication announcements, but requires institutional consistency and long-term planning.
Citing data on homicides in the country, he noted that in 2023 71 incidents were recorded, of which 3 in Crete, while in 2024 the number rose to 75 in total and 4 on the island – a percentage corresponding to approximately 2-3% nationally. Although, as he said, the incidents are not massive, «reveal a deeper problem of social cohesion and security», which cannot be treated «in reality show terms».
Attacking the government for incompetence and mismanagement
The president of PASOK – KINAL accused the government of management inadequacy and lack of strategy. «Since 2019 they have not been able to consolidate a real security state. They destroyed critical services of the Hellenic Republic of Greece, decimated the regional clinics and did not proceed with integrated development plans for the region», he reported.
He also pointed out that the failure also extends to education, stressing how «the Ministry of Education premains inactive in the face of the need for modern social prevention and youth support tools».
Criticism of Chrysochoidis – «It is not enough to toughen the penalties»
Referring to the Minister of Citizen Protection, Michalis Chrysochoidis, Mr. Androulakis commented that «chose the trodden path of New Democracy – the tightening of penalties», underlining that punitive logic does not touch the roots of criminality.
«The presence of the state must be substantial and universal», he said, calling for equal policing, effective justice and respect for citizens, without exceptions and informal tolerances.
Emphasizing the social dimension, he added: «Don’t confuse Cretan levity with tolerance of iniquity. The Cretan people have in their DNA the struggles for freedom, not contempt for the laws».
Goal: the restoration of trust and social cohesion
The meeting, in which representatives of the institutions, the local government and social agencies participate, aims to investigate the consequences of the bloody conflict in Vorizia and formulate proposals to strengthen social cohesion and citizens’ trust in the institutions.
Nikos Androulakis closed his presentation by emphasizing that Crete «must become an example of a peaceful and democratic society», where «tradition coexists with respect for life and the law».