2026, as everything indicates, will be the year of new political party formation. Already, Alexis Tsipras‘ party is in the works for official establishment, a party from Maria Karystianou appears on the horizon, and Antonis Samaras is weighing his moves regarding the possibility of founding his own political vehicle. Beyond being the year of new parties, however, it will also mark the political comeback of some former leaders…
Samaras and Karamanlis considerations
Former Prime Minister and President Alexis Tsipras is returning to claim governance once again and become the formidable opponent of Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Former Prime Minister and President Antonis Samaras is studying polls and considering his final moves, in order to become, as sources from his circle say, the authentic voice of the right-wing patriotic faction, exploiting the vacuum created by what his associates emphasize as Mitsotakis’ centrist direction. Continuous statements also come from former Prime Minister and President Kostas Karamanlis, mainly on national issues and institutional functioning. Kostas Karamanlis, who often makes pointed remarks about the government, doesn’t appear willing to move politically again; however, his positions align with those of Antonis Samaras, though this doesn’t mean they will collaborate politically.
Papandreou’s intervention that didn’t go unnoticed and Venizelos
For his part, Georgios Papandreou may not be considering party creation – he tried unsuccessfully in the past with KIDISO – however, he’s returning with greater interventionist disposition. His statement on institutional functioning regarding the tax authority’s inspection of the Tempi Victims’ Relatives Association offices and his open support for Maria Karystianou didn’t go unnoticed in PASOK. After all, as a PASOK MP, he hadn’t made a public intervention in a while, and the timing he chose is noteworthy. Former PASOK President E. Venizelos is also constantly increasing his interventions. He has no intention of creating a political vehicle either; on the contrary, he supports PASOK’s electoral goal. However, he wishes to address a broader audience by making statements with national background and making clear that he has and will have a say in shaping the political landscape going forward. Many emphasize that he would want a broad institutional role after the elections; however, until today, E. Venizelos keeps his cards close, emphasizing that he has no such planning.
