New Democracy faces a series of critical internal party milestones, with Kyriakos Mitsotakis turning his attention to the party’s internal affairs. Recent polls following the Thessaloniki International Fair announcements have brought optimism to the Maximos Mansion, but simultaneously create the need for strategic moves that will ensure stability and cohesion, against the backdrop of internal party tensions recorded recently.
In this context, a proposal has been tabled for Maximos Harakopoulos to assume the role of secretary of New Democracy’s parliamentary group, a move with strong symbolic significance given the choice of a figure from the Karamanlis camp. Meanwhile, Mitsotakis’ indirect opening to Kostas Karamanlis and Antonis Samaras during the Thessaloniki Fair press conference was no coincidence when asked about them. Indeed, according to sources, Kyriakos Mitsotakis is receiving recommendations for even more dynamic initiatives in this direction. Specifically, according to information, scrutiny has begun of parliamentary officials who under certain conditions could follow Antonis Samaras in his potential new political venture.
New Democracy: Three milestones for internal party affairs
At the same time, New Democracy has three significant milestones for the next two months, as reported in Penya Avramidi’s “Fine Print” column in “Apogeumatini”: the 51st anniversary on October 4, for which the party leadership is oriented toward an event with strong symbolic character, internal elections for the administrations of the regional and local party organizations on November 23, and the ONNED congress to be held over the October 3-5 weekend. Notably, the fact that the 14th Youth Congress coincides with the anniversary promises an anniversary event within the congress framework, with various proposals under discussion. The current president will seek re-election, with his victory considered certain.
The significance of New Democracy’s anniversary celebrations and the ONNED congress
On October 4, New Democracy’s “birthday” will be celebrated this year, according to sources, in a more traditional and partisan framework, unlike last year when a street party on Rigilis Street was chosen. Simultaneously, the ONNED congress will take place over the October 3-5 weekend, dates chosen to coincide with New Democracy’s “birthday.” Thus, Kyriakos Mitsotakis will have the opportunity to address young voters, among whom New Democracy now has relatively low percentages, with the Thessaloniki Fair measures for taxpayers under 30 in his quiver.
ONNED Congress: Renewal of Orfeas Georgios’ term and celebration of 51 years of the historic Youth organization
The ONNED congress is expected to have a celebratory character and bring no major surprises. Everything indicates that Orfeas Georgios’ term renewal in the youth leadership is “locked in,” with him continuing his work in the historic faction founded by Konstantinos Karamanlis. However, the fact that the congress will coincide with 51 years since ONNED’s founding gives the event special symbolism. Special events are expected to celebrate the youth organization’s birthday, which will be combined with the congress proceedings and constitute another reference point for the “blue” youth.
New Democracy: The moves by Mitsotakis, Karamanlis, Samaras
Following Mitsotakis’ “opening” toward the two former prime ministers, they are expected to perhaps speak publicly again, possibly within October, not necessarily together again. Mr. Karamanlis has not yet decided when and where he will speak, while there is activity in the Samaras camp regarding his political re-emergence.
Regarding the Karamanlis bloc, it’s worth noting that during a recent visit, Evripidis Stylianidis delivered to the prime minister at the Maximos Mansion his collective work on artificial intelligence, inviting him to an event where Kostas Karamanlis’ presence is expected. The timing doesn’t go unnoticed, fueling scenarios about a plan to restore calm on the internal party front. Additionally, according to sources, the proposal for Mr. Harakopoulos was recommended by Parliament Speaker Nikitas Kaklamanis, adding further weight to the choice. Assigning the parliamentary group secretary position to a political figure who has repeatedly differentiated himself publicly shows that the prime minister seeks not a formal replacement, but a substantial political positioning, aimed at unity and activation of all internal party forces.
