With the goal of rallying the party’s conservative base while simultaneously injecting fresh energy, the strategists at New Democracy’s Piraeus headquarters are scouting candidates across the entire country, aiming to build competitive electoral lists. At central headquarters, the party’s parliamentary group secretary Kon. Kyranakis, director Yannis Smyrlis, organizational secretary Stelios Kontadakis, and Prime Minister’s advisor Thanasis Nezis are vetting potential candidates and reviewing résumés en masse — sending a clear message that New Democracy retains the depth and political talent needed to make a difference in the upcoming elections.
Renewal has been placed front and center as a key priority, with the inclusion of young and untainted faces on the party’s candidate lists. Several candidates already confirmed for the ballots have launched their pre-election campaigns: Pavlos Marinakis in Athens North Sector B1, Dimitris Papastergiou in the Trikala region, Nikos Romanos in Athens South Sector B3, Nikos Papaioannou and Yannis Papageorgiou in Thessaloniki A, Eirini Agapidaki in Athens West Sector B2, and most recently Alexandra Sdoukou in Athens A. Further candidacy announcements are expected to follow in the coming days.
New Democracy: names under consideration for the party lists
It is worth noting that the candidacies of four former government secretaries-general have also been announced: Tasos Gaitanis in Athens South Sector, Manos Logothetis in Samos, Thanasis Tsiouras in Thessaloniki A, and Dimitris Glymis in Fokida. Former minister Andreas Loverdos is also entering the race for the South Sector. Meanwhile, former minister Theodoros Skylakakis is heading toward an Attica constituency, most likely Athens North Sector. Giorgos Stamatis is reportedly locked in for the Corinthia constituency, while Maria Nefeli Hatziioanidou is said to have decided against running in Thessaloniki A.
Candidacies in Thessaloniki
By contrast, Deputy Minister of Infrastructure Nikos Tachiaos is closely considering Thessaloniki A, though no final decision has been made. Similarly, Agricultural Development Minister Margaritis Schinas is being discussed for Thessaloniki A, as is Justice Minister Giorgos Floridis. For the Agricultural Development Minister, there is also an active scenario placing him on the national list. Another name circulating for the national list is that of General Frangos Frangoulis.
The new generation
A core objective of the party’s leadership team is renewal through candidates from the thirty-something generation. In this spirit, ONNED president Orfeas Georgiou has launched an active search for suitable candidates. Among the young faces being scouted for the Trikala region is economist and ONNED representative on New Democracy’s Political Committee, Dimitris Fotis. In Messinia, dynamic lawyer and Political Committee member Porfylenia Kanellopoulou is being considered. In Evia, the name of young lawyer Apostolos Spanos — also from ONNED — is being floated, while in Chalkidiki lawyer Nikos Blioskas and in Pieria regional councilor Anna Tzika are in the frame.
Among the new wave of candidates is Thanasis Basiakos for Boeotia, son of former minister Evangelos Basiakos; former regional councilor Dimitris Karypidis for the Serres list, son of former MP and regional governor Tasos Karypidis; and Rallia Tragaki for Piraeus B, daughter of MP Yannis Tragakis. For Piraeus B, the candidacy of well-known photographer Dimitris Skoulos is reportedly confirmed, while in Athens A, Omiros Tsapalos and lawyer Pola Damianou are set to run again. There are also scenarios placing actor Thanasis Viskadourakis in the same constituency. For the Evros region, the candidacy of Elena Sokou — coordinator of the Prime Minister’s office in Thessaloniki — is said to be confirmed.
Strong interest from regional candidates
There is growing interest in securing a spot on New Democracy’s lists from both party officials and figures from local government across the regions. In Aetolia-Acarnania, scenarios involve the mayor of Agrinio Giorgos Papanastasios, as well as regional deputy governors Thanasis Mavrommatis and Nikos Katsakioris. New Democracy’s secretary for strategic planning and communications, Vasilis Fevgas, is also expected to run. In Achaia, Andreas Tsokos is set to run again, alongside names including deputy regional governor Charalampos Bonanou, Fokion Zaimis, and deputy regional governor for public health Anna Mastorakou.
In Ilia, deputy regional governor Nikos Korovesis has expressed interest in the list. In Argolida, lawyer Zois Stavropoulos is reportedly confirmed, while deputy regional governor Vasilis Sideris is in discussions. In Arta, former mayor Christos Tsirogioannis and deputy regional governor Vasilis Psathas are being considered. For Corfu, former mayor Meropi Ydraiou; in Magnesia, lawyer Spyros Karanikolas and civil engineer Athanasia Kapoula. In Preveza, mayor Nikos Georgakos; for Evia, political figure Dimitris Diamantopoulos and deputy regional governor Giorgos Kelaiditis. For Boeotia, the names of Tanagra mayor Vasilis Pergalias and deputy regional governor Fani Papathoma are under discussion, while for Chios, former minister Kostis Mousourulis is being considered. In Ioannina, scenarios point to educator Filippos Evangelou — from the circle of President of the Republic Kostas Tasoulas — as well as political strategy and communications advisor Gerasimos Zagoritis.
Competition for the single-seat constituency of Evrytania
For the single-seat constituency of Evrytania, the names of former mayor Nikos Souliotis, former secretary-general Dimitris Iatridis, and physician Kostas Tsigaridas are all in circulation. In Thesprotia, doctor Christos Rizos is also being mentioned. Among the new names emerging for Kozani are physician Tasos Fountoğlu and deputy regional governor Lysandros Metaxas. In Messinia, ONNED-affiliated deputy mayor of Kalamata Tasos Skopeteas is under consideration. In Trikala, the Papastergiou candidacy is shaking up the field, while it remains unclear what former deputy regional governor Christos Michalakis will decide, and first runner-up Mikelis Hatzigakis may also consider another run. In Serres, the names gathering candidacy momentum include deputy regional governor Panagiotis Spyropoulos, the mayor of Emmanouel Papas, Dimitris Notas, and former Serres mayor Alexandros Chrysafis.
Published in Apogevmatini
