Samaras: I hand over a country without deficits, which is emerging from the crisis

In statements at the Zappion building press centre (central Athens) following his party's defeat in the Greek national elections, outgoing Prime Minister Antonis Samaras said on Sunday that "the Greek people have spoken and we all respect their decision".

     "My conscience is clear. I took over a country on the verge of disaster. We withstood, we averted the worst, we pulled the country out of the recession and the deficits, we laid the foundations for growth and an exit from the crisis. We created a new tradition of consensus and coalition governments.
     "Today I hand over a country without deficits, which is emerging from the crisis in an orderly way, is a member of the European Union and the euro. I hope that the next government will preserve these gains," the outgoing premier said.
     "We were forced to take painful measures and some mistakes were made but we averted the worst," Samaras stressed.
     "I hand over a country without deficits, with security for citizens, a country that is making an orderly exit from the crisis. I hand over a country that is a member of the European Union and the euro. For the good of the 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 hope that my predictions are not proved true," he added.

Turning to the election results, Samaras noted that:

     "It is not pleasant, but ND withstood and is on its feet, despite the very difficult measures that we were forced to take. It seems that ND has lost only two points in relation to 2012 and remains ready to play a role as a guarantor of European stability, security and the reforms. Its role will be crucial, I guarantee that it will play this role to the utmost."