Maria Karystianou is in the final stretch of announcing the creation of her own political party. As she revealed in interviews with two Sunday newspapers: “We will establish the movement at the right time, with the confiscation of corrupt politicians’ assets as our ‘flagship’ policy.” Maria Karystianou states that the main pillars of her political plan focus on education and healthcare, while revealing that “signatures are already being collected” as part of the preparation. She also announces institutional initiatives with significant political weight, noting that the new party will request “a tax audit of all political parties from the Independent Authority for Public Revenue.”
Read: Maria Karystianou rehearses for political role – Preparations for creating party with fresh faces
Maria Karystianou’s party to launch in spring
Sources indicate that the announcement of this political movement will be made sometime in spring, as the president of the Tempe Victims Association fears that the prime minister might surprise with early elections, leaving insufficient time for proper preparation. Maria Karystianou has revealed that a “committee of experts” is already working, composed of technocrats and scientists who are developing positions for the “salvation of the country.”
Specifically, besides transportation, healthcare, and education issues, the working groups are also focusing on:
- Economy: Seeking a model beyond austerity and dependency.
- Foreign Policy & Defense: Areas traditionally privileged by mainstream parties, where Karystianou seeks to articulate positions, possibly influenced by conservative/patriotic currents approaching her.
This preparation is considered essential by those close to Maria Karystianou, as they are well aware that the lack of arguments on all issues concerning society will be the weak point of the Tempe Victims Association president, given that the criticism she already receives is that her movement is single-issue focused.
Indeed, in this context, party leaders or officials from various political parties have appeared from time to time, offering their political experience to help Maria Karystianou’s party respond as effectively as possible to this challenge.
Overtures from Nikolopoulos, Kammenos, Kasselakis and Farantouris
Naturally, one of the interesting questions is which ideological axis the party will follow, since political parties usually move along liberal, right-wing, or left-wing lines. Sources say that, in this context, beyond Nikos Nikolopoulos, who subsequently brought her into contact with Nikos Karachalios, she has also been approached by Panos Kammenos, Stefanos Kasselakis, and Nikolas Farantouris. With the latter, she even held an event at the European Parliament about Article 86 on ministerial responsibility.
According to the same sources, although Stefanos Kasselakis has done everything possible by providing communication support, both she and her associates appear negative, as they are “frightened” by the enormous “ego” of the Democracy Movement president. A potential collaboration with Nikolas Farantouris could exist, provided no other issues arise. However, what is clear from Maria Karystianou’s side is that she will be the party leader herself.
