With the impressive number of 122,546 active citizen members, internal party elections of New Democracy are being conducted tomorrow for the election of Presidents and Councils of the Governing Committees of Electoral Regions (GCER) and Municipal Local Organizations (MLO), as well as delegates for the upcoming Regular Party Congress. This number, which has actually increased compared to the 2021 internal elections, includes many new members, confirming that New Democracy is the party with the strongest base of active members not only among Greek parties, but also – proportionally – among all European center-right parties.
“The increase in the number of our active members proves once again how strong the roots of our Movement are in society,” officials at Pireos Street note with satisfaction, adding that “New Democracy is a party with a broad popular base that actively participates in our processes. The people participating in the elections are those who not only transmit the party’s message, but actively help shape it. This is also the best proof of New Democracy’s dynamism.”
New Democracy has the most experienced mechanism among Greek parties, and the internal elections that will lead to next spring’s Congress come at the right time: just before entering the final year before the 2027 elections. This is because essentially the officials elected in tomorrow’s ballot will be those who will carry the “burden” of the national elections at the local community level.
It should be noted that 7,200 members submitted candidacies for one of the 3,500 party positions – Presidents of GCER and MLO, Council members of GCER and MLO, Delegates – and that it is already estimated that the renewal rate of leadership members in party organizations will exceed 60%.
The detailed data of active members who can vote either at the 1,200 ballot boxes to be set up at 233 points across the country or electronically are also noteworthy. More than half the members belong to the most dynamic age group of 25-54 years, while 42% of members are women. 48% work as employees in the private and public sectors, 27% are merchants and freelancers or workers in the primary sector, and 25% are retirees.
The process will be completed on Sunday except for some few organizations where there are more than two candidacies and a second round may be needed on Sunday, November 30.
In any case, New Democracy’s internal elections with new Presidents and Councils of party organizations, as well as the 1,000 delegates to be elected, are the starting point for the party’s Regular Congress to be held in spring, while pre-congress meetings will have taken place across the country by then. At Pireos Street and Maximos Mansion, consultations have already begun for the excellent organization of pre-congress meetings and the Congress, as it is a first-class opportunity both for increased unity and for an open dialogue with society one year before the 2027 battle.
And Kyriakos Mitsotakis knows firsthand the critical role played by party organizations, especially in the periphery. As he said in his speech at the last session of New Democracy’s Political Committee: “In the battles ahead, no one is superfluous. Contests where, as always, you will be the protagonists, our officials and our members, old comrades alongside new friends.
I would say, in fact, that from one perspective the campaign for the next electoral victory begins now. For a clear victory that will give the country security and certainty and give citizens hope and prospects.
A victory that you will bring again, New Democracy women and men, who always and everywhere keep alive the flame of the torch. I will be with you on the front line.”
