Ex PMs turn their back to Mitsotakis and ND 50th-anniversary party

Former conservative ND prime ministers Kostas Karamanlis and Antonis Samaras are turning their backs on Kyriakos Mitsotakis as they will not attend the street party for the 50th anniversary of the New Democracy scheduled to take place in Rigillis Square in downtown Athens on Friday afternoon.

In a coordinated action the offices of Karamanlis and Samaras informed journalists at the same time Friday noon, they they will not attend the event, Skai TV reported.

In an interview with Mega TV Live News Friday afternoon, PM Mitsotakis said without further comment “I did my duty, I invited them personally. The day is not dedicated to leaders but to simple ND supporters.”

It should be recalled that Prime Minister Mitsotakis called both ex premiers beginning of the week and personally invited them to the party.

With this decision, the two former prime ministers send – in fact, they reiterate – a very clear message to the current PM that he has lead the party to a wrong path and they disagree with parts of his policies.

A few months ago and during an event at the War Museum, both Karamanlis and Samaras had expressed their strong opposition to Mitsotakis’ strategic choices.

Yesterday, Thursday, a group of ND lawmakers, the second in a week, submitted questions to the Ministers of Finances and Health regarding crucial social issues such as “red loans and servicers” and “self-participation of low pensioners to purchase of medication.”

According to analysts, the climax of the conflict within ruling New Democracy will be with the official debate  about the new person who will assume the presidency of the Republic, a debate expected to start at the beginning of 2025.

It should be recalled that it was Konstantinos Karamanlis, the uncle of ex PM Karamanlis, who founded New Democracy on October 4, 1974, just a few months after the fall of the junta of the colonels.

PS as opposition parties SYRIZA and PASOK have been busy with electing new leaders, it appears that the best opposition to Mitsotakis is the one coming from within,