A clear picture of Antonis Samaras’ thoughts and intentions emerges from regular conversations with the former prime minister, particularly from the inspirers of the “91” movement – now comprising several prominent figures who have extended an invitation for him to take initiatives on the central political stage.
It’s clear that the direction of these political developments relates to approaching the popular right-wing constituency, specifically that segment which doesn’t feel represented by today’s formations targeting this audience, while simultaneously remaining ambivalent about supporting the governing party.
Messages from the “91” for Samaras’ party: Interviews with Meletopoulos and Mazis on “Parapolitika”
Given that in his recent ANT1 interview the Messenian left open for the first time the possibility of establishing a new political entity, professors Meletis Meletopoulos and Giannis Mazis, among the leading figures of the “91”, spoke to “PARAPOLITIKA” 90.1 FM about their movement’s rationale.
The former, after successive references to General Papagos’ era, noted that Antonis Samaras has the ability to proceed with a similar rallying of social and political forces at this juncture, to resolve the impasse the country has reached, as he argued. “There is great interest from a broad spectrum of public opinion, not only center-right but broader, including from the old PASOK constituency and even from the left, people who look to Mr. Samaras for a solution to the country’s governance problem”, he characteristically emphasized.
For his part, Giannis Mazis emphasized: “There is a gap in the credibility of the entire political system. This gap widens daily with unpleasant revelations that strike this credibility even more and deeper. There are political leaders whose political trajectories justify and demand their re-engagement with active politics without petty ambitions, as Mr. Samaras said, because a person who has reached the position of prime minister doesn’t dream of becoming prime minister again. What he dreams of is providing a solution”.
Meanwhile, it’s an open secret that figures operating on behalf of Antonis Samaras are exploring the organizational field of a potential new party, both regarding soundings primarily of MPs and local officials originating from New Democracy who for various reasons feel psychologically distant from the governing party, and the possibility of establishing channels with local communities. However, it’s common ground in the Messenian’s environment that any venture should be announced (if announced) close to election time, to create a relevant electoral current and avoid organizational difficulties against the backdrop of a general lack of structures and executive capacity.
Resounding silence from the Prime Minister’s Office
From Maximos Mansion and Pireos Street, they persist in not commenting on this entire scenario, except unofficially and in the logic of devaluing the relevant thinking. They particularly focus on the attempt by these “Samaras circles” to involve Kostas Karamanlis in the same framework, as well as his traditional interlocutors who, although they often differentiate themselves, show no inclination to follow Antonis Samaras’ logic of absolute confrontation. “The beautiful thing is that the ’91’ say they want initiatives and actions from either Karamanlis or Samaras. Obviously, they forget the profile of the two men’s past relationship, as well as the clear political differences in their general political approach, despite the recent convergence on certain fronts,” say experienced “blue” party figures.
Published in Parapolitika
