The Greek government is firing on all cylinders ahead of the critical milestone of the 90th Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF), with preparatory meetings intensifying in the coming week. From September onwards, the pre-election strategy of New Democracy enters its final stretch, with an eye on the upcoming electoral battle in spring 2027, as the prime minister’s inner circle moves to full alert.
On a daily basis, the threshold of Maximos Mansion will be crossed by Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hatzidakis, Minister of State Akis Skertsos, Government Spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis, Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister Thanasis Kontogeorgis, New Democracy Secretary General Konstantinos Kyranakis, Prime Minister’s advisor Thanasis Nezis, Prime Minister’s Secretary General Stelios Koutnatzis, New Democracy Press Spokesperson Alexandra Sdoukou, Director of the Prime Minister’s Parliamentary Office and Thessaloniki Office Michalis Bekiris, and New Democracy Director Yannis Smyrlis — all convening for the morning briefing, focused on strategic planning, scheduling of government work, and communications and parliamentary affairs strategy.
Mitsotakis team in TIF mode: Close aides gather at Maximos Mansion
The prime minister’s closest communications strategy advisors are also joining the “morning coffee” sessions at Maximos Mansion, including the Director of the Prime Minister’s Press Office Giorgos Efthymiou, Director General of Press and Information Panos Amyras, K. Mitsotakis’ Communications Director Kyra Kapi, his speechwriter Yannis Vlastaris, Prime Minister’s advisor Christos Zografos, and Director of Digital Communications Nikos Romanos.
Where the focus lies
Particular emphasis in the new political season is being placed on communications and strategic planning for the election campaign. The prime minister has instructed his ministers to maintain a stronger and more prominent media presence, while Government Spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis bears significant central responsibility for communicating the government’s work to the public.
Stan Greenberg back in the picture
Equal weight is being given to shaping the government’s overall strategy, with American political consultant Stan Greenberg once again participating as an external advisor, analysing data from focus groups and tracking emerging trends. A figure the prime minister trusts for interpreting polling data is the current Interior Minister, Thodoris Livanios. Alongside the daily meetings at the prime ministerial residence, regular working groups are being held at Bodosaki Mansion under the coordination of Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hatzidakis, focused on drafting New Democracy’s electoral platform — the key tool for the party’s candidates and officials in the race to the polls. The central pillars of the “Agenda 2030” are expected to be unveiled during the prime minister’s address at the Vellideio Conference Centre on Saturday, September 5th.
Who is taking part in the meetings
These working sessions include Minister of State Akis Skertsos, Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister Thanasis Kontogeorgis, and other officials with expertise in specific policy areas, contributing to the proposals that will form part of the electoral platform. The programme is expected to be largely shaped by the end of August. At the same time, daily meetings of the economic team are taking place on Nikis Street to finalise the TIF “package.” Under the direction of Minister of National Economy and Finance Kyriakos Pierrakakis, Deputy Ministers Thanos Petralias and Dimitris Markopoulos are analysing the data behind the measures to be included in this year’s announcements.
Since July, Minister Pierrakakis and Deputy Minister Petralias have been visiting the prime ministerial residence on a weekly basis for preparatory meetings with the prime minister, attended by the Head of the Prime Minister’s Economic Office Michalis Argyrос and other close advisors. In the days ahead, TIF preparatory meetings at Maximos Mansion are expected to intensify further.
Continuous meetings
With the ruling party entering the final stretch of the pre-election marathon from September — with a May target on the horizon — meetings of the New Democracy team are intensifying around the preparation of the party’s electoral lists. Secretary General Kon. Kyranakis is working closely with Prime Minister’s advisor Thanasis Nezis to evaluate candidacies across the country. The party secretary is in constant contact with both seasoned and newer New Democracy figures, and further meetings are expected at the party’s Piraeus Street headquarters with party organs in the coming period.
The “special mission” of preparing the party machinery has been taken on jointly by Konstantinos Kyranakis and his dynamic team at Piraeus Street headquarters — a team composed of experienced officials who have been on the front lines and behind the party’s winning results in recent electoral contests.
The organisational side
On the organisational front, a pivotal role is played by New Democracy’s Director General Yannis Smyrlis and Organisational Secretary Stelios Kontadakis. Konstantinos Kyranakis is working to consolidate the centre-right camp on the road to national elections, while also driving the renewal of New Democracy’s cadre base — a priority for the ruling party. As part of this effort, he has developed a close working relationship with ONNED President Orfeas Georgiou to mobilise the younger generation ahead of the electoral campaign.
