The decision by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to propose New Democracy MP from Larissa, Maximos Charakopoulos, for the position of secretary of New Democracy’s Parliamentary Group sends significant political and intra-party messages. The position became vacant following the sudden death of Apostolos Vesyropoulos.
Mitsotakis’ strategic goals in choosing Charakopoulos
The selection of Charakopoulos, a politician with a long parliamentary career since 2004 and deep roots in the Karamanlis camp, is interpreted as a move with strategic characteristics, particularly against the backdrop of intra-party turbulence recorded recently. The proposal is expected to be submitted for approval by New Democracy’s Parliamentary Group at its September 19 session. Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ decision appears to have been dictated not only by Charakopoulos’ experience and good relations with members of the blue Parliamentary Group, but also by the need to restore balance within the party. The Larissa MP belongs to the “dissenters” of the Parliamentary Group, having publicly expressed disagreements with government choices in the past — including on the same-sex marriage bill and non-performing loans.
This move is interpreted by experienced observers as an opening by the Maximos Mansion toward officials who have distanced themselves or publicly expressed dissatisfaction with government practices. The message being sent is clear: no one is expendable on the road to the 2027 elections. At the same time, the choice of Charakopoulos appears to be part of a broader effort to re-engage with Karamanlis supporters, as well as the wing close to Antonis Samaras. His good relationship with the ecclesiastical sphere, which maintains weight in the right-wing electoral base, is also considered a significant element.
New Democracy: moves to activate all intra-party forces
The recent visit of Euripides Stylianidis to the Maximos Mansion also fits into the same framework, where he delivered to the Prime Minister his collective work on artificial intelligence, inviting him to an event where Kostas Karamanlis is expected to attend. The timing does not go unnoticed, fueling scenarios about a plan to restore calm on the intra-party front. Furthermore, according to information, the proposal for Charakopoulos was recommended by Parliament Speaker Nikitas Kaklamanis, adding additional weight to the choice. Assigning the position of Parliamentary Group secretary to a political figure who has repeatedly differentiated himself publicly shows that the Prime Minister seeks not a formal replacement, but a substantial political appointment, aimed at unity and activating all intra-party forces. This choice coincides with the Maximos Mansion’s effort to capitalize on the positive impact of the Thessaloniki International Fair announcements, with early polling findings recording recovery trends and causing cautious optimism in the government staff.
Maximos Charakopoulos: his profile and political career
Maximos Charakopoulos was born in Larissa on October 10, 1968, and is a politician, sociologist, and journalist. He has been elected as a New Democracy MP in the Larissa electoral district in all contests since the 2004 elections. He served as Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Food from 2012 to 2014 in Antonis Samaras’ government. He originates from Vounaina, Larissa.
He studied sociology at the Department of Sociology of Panteion University and received his degree in 1990. He pursued postgraduate studies (1991–1993) in political science at the Institute of Political Sciences of the University of Constantinople. He holds a doctoral degree (PhD) from the Department of Sociology of Panteion University from 2003.
During his studies at Panteion, he was active in the student movement with DAP-NDFK. After completing his military service as a reserve officer of the Greek Army, he assumed duties as Deputy Director of Political Planning for New Democracy in 1994. From 1997 to 2000, he served as director of New Democracy’s Press Office. He served as communications director of the liberal think tank, Center for Political Research and Communication (KPEE) from 2000 to 2004, while simultaneously working as a journalist. In 2009, he became Secretary of Political Planning for New Democracy, a position he held until 2012.
In the 2004 elections, he was elected for the first time with New Democracy as MP for Larissa. He was re-elected in the 2007, 2009, double 2012, double 2015, 2019, and double 2023 elections. In June 2012, he was appointed Deputy Minister of Rural Development in Antonis Samaras’ government. He resigned from his position on March 29, 2014. From 2015 to 2019, he served as Education Sector Head and Citizen Protection Sector Head for New Democracy.
