Avgerinos: Karistianu’s party is financed by herself

Thanasis Avgerinos stated that the party Maria Karistianu finances it herself, and accusations of “Russian influence” will be met with lawsuits.

Spokesperson for the Hope for Democracy party Thanasis Avgerinos stated that the new political project Maria Karistianu financed by Caristianu herself, and accusations of “Russian influence” called them provocative and demanded to show evidence.

Speaking June 3, 2026, Avgerinos presented “Hope for Democracy” as an ambitious political attempt to move beyond old party patterns and respond to what he called the deep deficits of Greek democracy. According to Efsynhe said that the real dynamics of the new movement are not yet reflected in the polls.

“This is a difficult undertaking, but we are united by a great need.”– said Avgerinosadding that the party wants to leave “strong trace” on the political stage Greece.

Tempi as a symbol of the system

The tragedy in Tempi. For Karystiana and its surroundings is not just a train accident, but a symbol of the broader degradation of the state: infrastructure, responsibility, justice and citizens’ trust in government.

Avgerinos formulated this very strictly: “There are many tempi in Greek society”. He linked the topic to the collapse of infrastructure, deindustrialization, demographic decline and the exodus of young Greeks abroad.

This line is clear: the party is trying to talk not only about a specific disaster, but also about a country where the tragedy became possible due to the chronic irresponsibility of the system. This is where Caristianu’s political strength lies: it comes not from offices, but from pain, which the authorities have not been able to close with a convincing answer.

Response to accusations of a “Russian trace”

The most poignant part of the speech was the response to accusations of “Russian influence”. Avgerinos named such statements “funny, unfair, annoying and provocative”. According to him, those who make such accusations are obliged to present evidence and not throw around political labels.

“One network and television tourer has already received two lawsuits, and we will do the same in the future.”he said, effectively warning that the party intends to respond judicially to accusations of “Russophilia” and foreign influence.

This block is important not only for protecting reputation. In Greek politics, accusations of connections with Russia It has long become a convenient cudgel: you can use it to beat any inconvenient player, especially if he is growing faster than the old system would like. Proof? Well, why, when there is a television intonation and a couple of suspicious hints. A wonderful economy of facts.

Who finances the party

When asked about financing Avgerinos answered briefly: “Lady Karistianu”. According to him, the party has no sponsors, companies involved in its branding or rebranding, and hidden corporate structures.

How it conveys Documento, Avgerinos also reported that the party will soon receive ΑΦΜ – tax number – and then turn to citizens for financial support.

The statement was made clearly with an eye on the old parties. The meaning is simple: “Hope for Democracy” wants to show itself not as a product of political strategists, sponsors and hardware deals, but as a movement that is built from below and financed openly. How far this can be confirmed in practice is a separate question. In politics, as we know, the purest promises are usually the first to get dirty if there is no transparent accountability behind them.

A jab at Tsipras

Avgerinos didn’t go around Alexis Tsipras. He recalled the 2015 referendum and stated that Maria Caristianu then I voted “No”like most citizens, but Tsipras did not fulfill his election promises.

This is not a random attack. Caristianu’s new project aims to appeal to the protest electorate, some of which once supported SYRIZA. So Tsipras’ criticism here works as an attempt to take up space “real alternative”untainted by old reversals and political capitulations.

For Tsipraswho is himself trying to return to the big game through a new political project, this is an unpleasant signal. Karystiana hits not only the government Kyriakos Mitsotakisbut also for the former opposition, which already once promised to break the system, and then quite comfortably placed itself inside it.

Who are they willing to collaborate with?

When asked about possible post-election alliances Avgerinos answered evasively, but firmly: “We don’t see such a potential partner”. According to him, the country does not need another redistribution of seats, but the emergence of new forces and the mobilization of society.

This is a risky position. On the one hand, it helps to preserve the image of the movement outside the old system. On the other hand, in the conditions of Greek proportional mathematics, any new player will sooner or later be faced with the issue of coalitions. Nice to say “we are not with them” easily. It is much more difficult to explain after the elections exactly how to govern the country without negotiations with those whom yesterday called part of the problem.

But now the stakes are clear: “Hope for Democracy” wants to first gather a protest, and only then decide how to translate it into public policy. Yes, it’s a little like building a ship after going to sea. But in Greek politics this is not what was called strategy.

Party of pain and mistrust

The main strength of the project Karystiana – not in the party apparatus and not in a ready-made economic program. Its resource is distrust of the old system, social trauma after Tempi and the feeling that the authorities have been avoiding responsibility for too long.

That is why they attack her with accusations of foreign influence. This is a classic defense of the system: if it is impossible to immediately devalue pain, you need to devalue the one who speaks on its behalf. Blame it on “Russophilia”hint at an outside hand, mix moral protest with geopolitical suspicion.

Convenient, fast, television. True, there is a nuance, given the traditionally positive attitude of the Greeks towards Russia, this accusation may work in the other direction.

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