The conference of New Democracy’s parliamentary group on Thursday is expected to be critical for the party’s future, with the various factions preparing to develop their strategies.
Ahead of Thursday’s critical meeting, former ND Education Minister Marietta Giannakou has arranged to meet with former partly leader and PM Kostas Karamanlis, to discuss recent meetings between prominent party officers.
Mrs. Giannakou is expected to ask that Mr. Karamanlis takes an initiative for the party’s good. While there has not been an open challenge of Mr. Samaras’ leadership, some have already publicly criticized some of his actions, such as Manolis Kefalogiannis and Yannis Michelakis.
While Mr. Samaras’ leadership may be disputed he is not without allies. The former Growth Minister Notis Mitarakis arranging a private gathering of his own, in support of Mr. Samaras. MPs Makis Voridis and Adonis Georgiadis also seem prepared to confront any of Mr. Samaras’ challengers.
At present, Dora Bakoyanni is expected to openly discuss the possibility of a leadership change at Thursday’s parliamentary group meeting. She is likely to be backed by Evripidis Stylianidis, Nikos Dendias, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Miltiadis Varvitsiotis, Nikitas Kaklamanis, Kostis Hatzidakis, Olga Kefalogianni and Fotini Pipili, among others.
Meanwhile, aside from the aforementioned Voridis, Georgiadis and Mitarakis, Mr. Samaras can count on support from New Democracy officers such as Dimitris Stamatis, Anna-Michelle Asimakopoulou, Kostas Karagounis and others.
