Defining the identity and goals of the New Democracy government, arrows toward the opposition and a roadmap to the congress and elections, were contained in Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ speech at the first session of the ruling party’s Parliamentary Group after the Thessaloniki International Fair, while he spoke about a plan to reduce taxation on rental income, as “Parapolitika” had revealed last week.
New Democracy: The election of a new general secretary and the turn to the middle class
At the session, Maximos Harakopoulos was elected as general secretary of the Parliamentary Group, replacing the late Apostolos Vesyropoulos. “We are implementing patriotic tax reliefs, instead of patriotic taxes and ‘green money trees’,” said the prime minister, leaving a clear barb toward Alexis Tsipras and Nikos Androulakis respectively.
The turn to the middle class, continuous tax reduction for permanent income increase, legality everywhere and building a strong Greece is the government’s strategy, as he described in his remarks, which also contained specific messages for the “right-wing” electoral audience – and not only: Effective foreign policy, priority on migration and border security, defense upgrade through better compensation for Armed Forces personnel and with a fourth Belh@rra, were the key elements that Mr. Mitsotakis emphasized.
Having seen the first round of polls after the Thessaloniki International Fair completed, the prime minister mentioned that in the sixth year of governance, New Democracy remains the country’s strongest party, 15 points ahead of the second. “We are the most resilient and consistent force of the post-junta era,” he said next, once again emphasizing the issue of political stability: “The only one that can keep the helm of the national ship in turbulent times, without threatening Greeks’ achievements. The one that can lead the homeland, with safety and hope, to the end of the third decade of the 21st century.”
He also gave an indirect response to complaints heard from party officials and members about so-called “transfers” from other parties, emphasizing that “our great victories come when the faction re-baptizes its values to the data of the times and with the power of its ideas incorporates others as well.”
Mitsotakis’ message on discipline and congress preparation
A second, indirect reference he made to objections occasionally expressed by MPs to government policies, either through their public statements or questions they submit to Parliament. “Our Parliamentary Group has a duty to be at the front line. Internal dialogue and external discipline are required. Pluralistic reflection, but also common stance. And, above all, low gaze and high goals,” were the characteristic words he used. The prime minister also called on New Democracy MPs to be ready “for attacks that will question the normalcy and certainty that Greece possesses today. Whether these will come from populism that will try with fake news to set up conspiracy scenarios from time to time, or will spring from interests and Media that would want weak governments to strengthen their own pressures,” as he emphasized.
He revealed that the pre-congress process will begin in November ahead of New Democracy’s spring congress, which will be the last before the 2027 elections and spoke of an “opportunity to meet again even more dynamically with local communities and the soul of the faction, the everyday New Democrat.” “Just as EFKA was reborn, so will OPEKEPE change!” the prime minister pledged, sending a message, simultaneously, to both his Parliamentary Group and his Ministerial Council: “Let’s not forget that society can understand a mistake. However, it never forgives arrogance and arbitrariness.”
Published in Parapolitika
