Kikilias: The focus now is on the 'big battle' ahead on May 21

Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias on Wednesday stressed that "for us in New Democracy there is one, big battle," which was that on May 21.

"For me there is no thought of second elections at this time. There can be no second elections without first elections," Kikilias said in an interview with REAL FM radio, adding that there was no 'double-election' narrative at present and that any other discussions, if necessary, will take place after May 21.

"The citizens will consider everything we have done in the last four years, how we addressed many serious crises and how we have horizontally supported society and the economy," he said.

Referring to the tourism season that started on March 11 with direct flights from the United States to Athens International Airport "Eleftherios Venizelos" and earlier than any previous year for the islands of the Aegean and Crete, Kikilias underlined that tourism will substantially contribute to the strengthening of the economy, the support of the average family and to the country's growth.

Additonally, he referred to a further extension of the tourism season, a 20 pct increase in cruise tourism in comparison with 2022, breaking a new record, and with even better prospects than in 2022 as the markets of Australia and China are open in 2023.