Election debate: journalists tell what happened behind the scenes

The eyes of the Greeks were riveted on the first debate of political leaders in the last 8 years, which took place last night on Radio Megaro ERT. Journalists who were “behind the scenes” spoke about what happened there.

In addition to speeches by political leaders, for which citizens lined up at the screens to watch the debates, the speeches of six journalists after the debates were of interest.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Alexis Tsipras, Nikos Androulakis, Dimitris Koutsoumbas, Janis Varoufakis and Kyriakos Velopoulos “confronted” journalists Mare Zacharias (STAR), Sia Kossioni (SKAI), Giorgos Papadakis (ANT1), Antonis Sroiter (ALPHA), Panagiotis Statis (OPEN) and Rania Tzime (MEGA).

What “hooked on the ear” of Mary Zacharias

Leaving the ERT radio hall, journalist Mara Zakharia said that “it was a debate in which there were good moments, news appeared, and the atmosphere of the debate was saturated with” electricity “”.

“Even when they weren’t on camera, there was a cheerful mood and a friendly atmosphere in the ERT studio, and at least I understood that they were eager to communicate with each other. That is, as soon as they could, one threw his cue, and it was also interesting to watch the expressions that were not visible on the cameras, and the grimaces when one spoke and made a remark to the other.How the other reacted with his arms crossed on the table, but his face showed either disapproval or approval – depending on the moment . It was interesting,” the Star reporter said.

“During breaks, I wouldn’t say they talked a lot. What got me a little at the end was that I think Mr. Tsipras told Mr. Mitsotakis that in the next election, they should both finally hold a debate,” Mara Zaharea added as she left the ERT radio hall.

“The most” clamped “was Androulakis”

The host of the evening Georgios Kouvaras said that “the atmosphere was very good and friendly”. According to him, Tsipras and Mitsotakis even exchanged a few phrases. Several views and comments were expressed. The tightest was Mr. Androulakis. “Next time there may be the possibility of direct questions between them.”

Sia Cosioni: “I remember the earlier debates, with more vivacity and more hairpins.”

SKAI journalist Sia Kosioni noted shortly after graduation that the political leaders’ debates were “not useless, but monotonous.” Sia Kosioni noted that she intends to take the initiative of journalists to put forward certain requirements, on the basis of which she will establish rules, propose frameworks and much more that they can discuss with the inter-party committee.

“What we were watching wasn’t useless. But it wasn’t the best. I remember earlier debates that had more animation, more hairpins, more awkward moments and of course confrontation between them, which makes it more different from each other. It seemed to me that the political leaders were drowning in this context, and I am sure that they and the people understood this. And not a word about us! You can understand what a pain it is for a journalist to ask a question, not get an answer and not be able to return. We apologize and ask for understanding from the Greek people,” the journalist said.

R. Tsima: “We were stunned, we looked at each other.”

Journalist and host of the main news program Mega Rania Tzima said as she left ERT: “The news of the evening was Nikos Androulakis’s remark that wiretapping should be jailed, although he then generalized and was not specific. At some point, Mr. Androulakis says that “these people should be in prison.” And we journalists are stunned. We look at each other, Panagiotis Statis was next to me, and Antonis Schreuter was right next to him. I nodded, we were not filmed then , I said: “Guys, are we going to do something? Are we going to say something?” Panagiotis sees me and nods: “My hands are tied.” That is, the political leader comes out and says about the wiretap, that someone should go to jail, and we cannot ask him who he is means”.

“If you interrupt the speech at this point, you risk coming across as anti-institutional,” added Rania Tsima. “In any case, there was absolutely no way to give us a clearer picture. That is, I didn’t see any crack for cooperation below, but I don’t know whether it matters. So we weren’t going to see that in a debate.”

P. Stathis: “No one has become wiser from the debate”

“The political leader was saying something, and Mitsotakis and Tsipras looked at each other and smiled. Sometimes they even talked to each other. But these reactions, that is, one political leader answers, and you record the reaction of another, these are elements of reporting. Is this Shouldn’t be recorded? There were no extreme reactions, but I saw both Mr Tsipras and Mr Mitsotakis grimacing in response several times,” the journalist said.

“The activity of the participants was above the norm. That’s why we insist and say that it’s nice when political leaders meet with journalists, but it should be more free. I think they also stifle themselves with these rules that we see so often there and which they also install themselves,” he added.

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