The Parliamentary Group of the main opposition party New Democracy is scheduled for 2pm today in the Senate Hall of Parliament, where the party leadership is expected to clash with its challengers. The session will not be open to journalists, signaling that there will be tension and clashes.
Party president Antonis Samaras is said to be prepared to respond to his challengers regarding the major elector defeat in January and his management of the party. A group of about 10-15 MPs – some of whom are considered potential successors – are going to demand an emergency party conference, with Mr. Samaras set to counter-propose a National Conference.
The goal of this group of MPs is to schedule the party conference for the summer, by which point Mr. Samaras’ position in the party will have weakened. With the would-be successors having different overall goals and strategies though, the current leadership is still able to continue unopposed.
Mr. Samaras will attempt to overcome internal conflicts by pointing out recent political developments and the government’s efforts, arguing that New Democracy was justified in the policies it observed. He is also prepared to throw down the gauntlet on anyone who challenges his leadership, citing party regulations, which stipulate the appropriate procedure.
Former party leader and Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis will attend the session at the start and depart soon after. Similarly, the former President of Parliament Evangelos Meimarakis agreed with Mr. Samaras to attend the session and depart after the party leader delivers his speech.
Dora Bakoyanni seems to be determined to challenge Mr. Samaras’ leadership and is expected to be scathing in her criticism. Her stance will likely affect the stance that other MPs will hold. Evripidis Stylianidis and Nikos Dendias are said to also be critical, while Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Miltiadis Varvitsiotis, Olga Kefalogianni and Vasilis Kikilias will be more moderate in their approach.
The party leader will also have his own group of 10-15 supporters, with Makis Voridis and Adonis Georgiadis being the most vocal. Support will also come from party spokesman Kostas Karagounis and Christos Kellas, who have supported Mr. Samaras’ strategy and politics of the past two and a half years.
There is uncertainty over the stance that other MPs will keep, such as Maximos Harakopoulos, Kostas Tzavaras, Kostas Tasoulas, Christos Dimas, Lefteris Avgenakis, Stavros Kalafatis, Kostas Gioulekas and others.
