Samaras: I hand over a country without deficits..my conscience is clear
The Greek people had spoken and we all respect their decision, outgoing Prime Minister Antonis Samaras said on Sunday, in statements at Zappion building press centre after his party's defeat in the Greek national elections.
"Deeply moved, I thank from my heart all the women and men that stood beside us in this difficult race. I want them to feel proud of this battle that we waged together, just as I feel very proud of them. "The Greek people have spoken and we all respect their decision," he said.
"My conscience is clear. I took over a country on the verge of disaster. I was asked to hold 'lit coals' in my hands and I did it. Most gave us few prospects of lasting. But we withstood. We averted the worst. We pulled the country out of the deficits, out of the recession, we restored the credibility and the standing of our country, we laid the foundations for growth and for a final exit from the crisis.
"In the last two and half years, we created a new tradition of consensus and coalition governments, unknown in Greece. Greece needs bold consensuses and we dared [to do this]. We were obliged to take painful measures. And there were some mistakes and injustices. But we averted much worse things.
"So, today, I hand over a country without deficits, with security for the citizen, with firm support in the world and in our region. A country that is making an orderly exit from the crisis. Above all, I hand over a country that is a member of the European Union and the euro. For the good of this country, I hope that the next government preserves these gains. I have a clear conscience because I told the people the truth right to the end. I honestly hope that my predictions are not proved true. Because it is Greece we are talking about. But I had an obligation to give a warning."
"The election result is not pleasant for us. But it showed that ND stood firm, that ND is on its feet. Despite the very difficult but unavoidable measures we were forced to take, in two and half years ND appears to have lost only two points in relation to the elections in 2012. And it remains ready to play a decisive role in developments from here on forward, as a guarantor of the country's European course, of stability, security and the reforms that must progress. ND's role in upcoming developments will be crucial, I guarantee that it will play this role to the utmost," he said.
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