Within the space of nine months New Democracy has managed to be defeated three times – in fact each defeat was more bitter that the previous one.
The defeat in January came after Mr. Samaras’ turn to populism. The former Prime Minister, his ministers and staff officers failed to realize what the people think and expect – at the same time Mr. Tsipras appeared tempting.
In July, New Democracy was the top supporter of the ‘Yes’ in the referendum and suffered yet another major defeat. Despite the various excuses, this defeat is attributed the party’s inability to convince voters.
The resignation of Mr. Samaras, despite being delayed, did not prompt a renewal within the party. The various budding successors hid behind the ‘party’s soldier’ Mr. Meimarakis, thinking that they can let “Evangelos suffer the defeat and then claim the party”. After all, what support did Mr. Meimarakis receive from his party officers?
Mr. Tsipras, with a wounded party and a political organization hijacked by the “drachma proponents”, managed to convince the people that he alone is the best possible solution. He convinced the people that New Democracy does not have the officers to challenge him and assert power from the Greek people.
Despite his mistakes, Mr. Tsipras is dominant. The people believe that only he can express and represent them. New Democracy, injured, is now in the margins.
The three defeats mean a funeral for New Democracy because quite simply, the people do not believe it any more. Even the party’s young – at age – former Ministers cannot inspire anymore.
Two examples: The party voters reached the point where they voted for Leventis. SYRIZA also managed to increase its ratings in the Dodecanese, where New Democracy plummeted – let us not forget that the Dodecanese bared the brunt of the refugee and migration influx!
The center right needs new officers and a new body. Simply put, New Democracy neither represents, nor inspires anymore.
Andreas St. Psycharis
