The main opposition party’s Parliamentary Group convened for a ten-hour debate on Thursday, which highlighted the divide amongst New Democracy officers regarding a possible leadership change. The party’s political committee will convene on Sunday, where the debate will undoubtedly continue.
On Thursday’s electrified debate in parliament there were two distinct groups of ND MPs; one which favored an emergency party conference where a new leader would be elected, while the other supporting current leader Antonis Samaras favored a national conference to discuss the party’s ideology.
The New Democracy leader for the first time assumed some responsibility for his party’s major defeat in the January elections and announced that major changes would take place in the party’s operation.
Mr. Samaras openly invited his potential challengers to initiate procedures for a leadership change, full aware that the party’s articles of association have very specific provisions for such changes. Most of Mr. Samaras’ potential successors cannot agree on a common strategy or are not prepared to openly come to blows with the current leadership.
During the session on Thursday Mr. Samaras claimed that he was “not married to his seat”, but that he would not abandon his post and stressed that he would “not give SYRIZA a present”. Amongst the MPs who favored an emergency conference are Dora Bakoyanni, Nikos Dendias, Evripidis Stylianidis, Nikitas Kaklamanis, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Anna Karamanli and Kostis Hatzidakis.
On the other hand, Makis Voridis, Adonis Georgiadis, Anna-Michelle Asimakopoulou, Sofia Voultepsi, Manolis Kefalogiannis, Gerasimos Giakoumatos and Notis Mitarakis are Mr. Samaras’ strongest supporters. Three New Democracy MP – Olga Kefalogianni, Miltiadis Varvitsiotis and Vasilis Kikilias – appear to be undecided and did not take a stand yesterday.
