Tensions are easing and the government is building bridges toward Antonis Samaras, who yesterday was with his family and numerous relatives and friends at the First Cemetery of Athens in deep emotion, where the 40-day memorial service for Lena Samaras was held. The question of returning to New Democracy is neither raised nor discussed by either side. However, it is evident that government criticism toward the former prime minister has de-escalated and that this is a dispute Kyriakos Mitsotakis is not willing to continue, as he focuses mainly on the government’s positive narrative and proper, broad communication of the measures announced at the Thessaloniki International Fair.
“Regarding Mr. Samaras, I cannot respond politically today. I see a father who lost his child and that covers everything for me, and I don’t want to say anything more because it’s very raw. This tragedy is very fresh for him and his family,” the prime minister said in response to a related question at the Thessaloniki International Fair, adding that “the prime minister’s job is a lonely job and former prime ministers know better how difficult this mission they undertake is. There were certainly disagreements on policy issues and responses given by both sides, especially on foreign policy matters,” while referring to the New Democracy coalition as the only force of stability in the country.
Gerapetritis’ statement on Samaras
This was followed, in the middle of last week, by government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis, in a line clearly milder than that adopted in the first months after Mr. Samaras’ expulsion from ND. “For Mr. Samaras, it was a development that nobody wanted, nobody pursued, but in any case when a policy that makes the country grow because things were done that hadn’t been done for entire decades needs to be defended, you defend it. This doesn’t mean you pursue such a development,” Mr. Marinakis characteristically noted (on SKAI radio).
Of particular interest, however, is yesterday’s statement by Giorgos Gerapetritis (on the same radio station), as he is the politician who has received the most and harshest attacks from the former prime minister. “I particularly respect Mr. Samaras, his contribution to the country and his course in New Democracy. He has a different approach regarding national issues,” Mr. Gerapetritis said when asked about it.
“I am convinced that if we sit down and discuss these issues – where we were two years ago with Turkey and where we are today in the field, in our arguments, where we were with Libya and where we are today, where we were in the international field, at the United Nations and where we are today – I think we will objectively and impartially conclude that not only have there been no retreats, but on the contrary, the country’s international footprint today is stronger than ever,” the Foreign Minister added, emphasizing that “because foreign policy is a matter of facts and not assumptions and speculation, I have the feeling that even with Mr. Samaras there could be a discussion that would be productive.”
And Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hatzidakis, when asked yesterday (by mononews) about Antonis Samaras, avoided any negative comment or the slightest sharp reference. Also, even in the prime minister’s regular Sunday Facebook post, there is positive recognition of the Samaras administration. Referring to Chevron’s participation – together with Helleniq Energy – in the international tender for maritime blocks south of Crete and the Peloponnese, Kyriakos Mitsotakis notes that “the path for exploiting our country’s underwater mineral wealth opened with the Maniatis law in the 2012-2014 period and thanks to our government’s careful and methodical planning, already since 2020 we reached this result which, I will say again, exceeds the dimensions of an investment venture.”
It is clear, moreover, that the government sees both Chevron’s arrival (after ExxonMobil) and the visit to Athens of US Interior Secretary Doug Bergam and his statements as a vote of confidence from the US and as a geopolitical upgrade for our country, especially in his capacity as chairman of the US National Energy Council.
