ATHENS – The main opposition SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance party on Wednesday accused Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis of planning to make a u-turn on the issue of early elections and criticised his interview with the state broadcaster ERT as an attempt to prepare public opinion.

“Mr. Mitsotakis is granting interviews in an attempt to pave the way for his choice to “escape” via early elections, before the summer ends and the bills of the autumn arrive,” the party said, following the prime minister’s interview with ERT on Tuesday.

“In any case, his u-turn is welcome,” the party added, noting: “The only thing he has consistently done during his three years in power is to serve the interests of the powerful.”

“But”, SYRIZA said, “whatever time he holds elections, it will not be able to protect him from the popular discontent”.