Kyriakos Mitsotakis is attempting to create a “clear” corridor for New Democracy’s congress, seeking to use this three-day event (May 15-17) for the ruling party to project a message of unity and launch its path toward the 2027 elections.
What to expect from the New Democracy congress
The congress will begin this Friday afternoon with a speech by Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who will also close the proceedings with his concluding address on Sunday noon. Video messages from Jean-Claude Juncker and Roberta Metsola will precede. On Saturday, there will be eight separate thematic sections covering the “social state,” “strong Greece,” “robust economy,” Greece 2030, “major projects and infrastructure,” “modern state for all,” “safe Greece,” and youth issues. There will also be a parallel discussion on artificial intelligence, in which the prime minister will participate.
New Democracy congress: Mitsotakis’ plan for “clear corridor” to 2027
The beginning of the “clear corridor” started last week with the New Democracy Parliamentary Group meeting, where Kyriakos Mitsotakis clarified that “all our MPs will be on the ballots for the next elections, if they so wish,” while supporting Thesprotia MP Vasilis Giogiakας and expressing “the requirement that Cabinet members treat MPs with courtesy and respect.” These statements largely satisfied several MPs who had been bothered by rumors of exclusion from ballots and by certain ministers’ attitudes toward them.
New Democracy: What concerns MPs – agricultural subsidies and OPEKEPE in focus
The issues concerning MPs and party officials are both institutional and practical. On Monday, Mr. Mitsotakis chaired a meeting at the Maximos Mansion focusing on agricultural subsidies and progress in addressing livestock diseases, with participants examining the planning and amount of new payments, including fertilizer price subsidies.
Regarding the transition from OPEKEPE to the Independent Authority for Public Revenue and the payment schedule for farmers by year-end, a joint press conference will be held today at 11:00 AM between the Ministry of Rural Development and Food and the Independent Authority for Public Revenue. Margaritis Schinas and Georgios Pitsilis will respectively present the relevant data.
Sheep and goat pox and foot-and-mouth disease: support measures for livestock farmers and cheese makers
Regarding sheep and goat pox, Monday’s meeting noted that a very small number of cases have been detected in the last three weeks, but emphasized that faithful and continuous implementation of biosafety measures is essential to prevent any reversal of positive progress toward disease eradication. Concerning foot-and-mouth disease in Lesbos, there was a review of support measures taken for livestock farmers and the island’s cheese makers, both in the form of direct aid and compensation as well as tax relief.
“My Home II”: complaints and extension
One source of complaints and protests was mitigated, especially for MPs and party officials in the regions. Another had emerged in recent days with the home purchase subsidy program, where suffocating deadlines had been imposed, causing reactions from citizens/prospective buyers. This problem was also addressed promptly – not only in view of the New Democracy congress, but also ahead of the approaching deadline. Thus, it was announced that regarding the “My Home II” program, approved housing loans that cannot be contracted by June 2 can be contracted until August 31, using resources from the Hellenic Development Bank.
New spatial planning for tourism: the 5 zones and changes in islands
Another issue of particular concern to the regions was addressed with a comprehensive response on Monday, with the New Special Spatial Plan for Tourism, presented after months of preparatory work and aiming to solve a decade-long problem. The territory is categorized for the first time into five distinct areas, taking into account existing tourist activity, geographical characteristics, and any special protection regimes. Greater protection will be provided to areas where intense pressure already exists, while tourism development in areas with room for further investment will occur with sustainability terms and proper incentives. A second regulation is also provided, concerning the maximum number of beds on islands, according to their size.
