The elections for a new party leader in New Democracy that are scheduled for the 22nd of November is the source of major tension within the conservative party, as the four candidates – provisional leader Evangelos Meimarakis, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Apostolos Tzitzikostas and Adonis Georgiadis – continue their campaigns.

Although all four candidates have upped the ante against Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and SYRIZA, they have also turned on each other, with three of the candidates – Mitsotakis, Georgiadis and Tzitzikostas – disputing the official polls. Mr. Meimarakis, who avoids referring to the polls, is in the lead.

Mr. Mitsotakis commented that it is impossible to estimate voter preferences in an election where there is no certainty as to the number of voters, adding that “very many people” are attending his gatherings and speeches. Similarly Mr. Georgiadis issued a warning to the polling companies for their “audacity to impose developments on New Democracy”. Likewise, Mr. Tzitzikostas underlined that the polls have often fallen out in their estimations, citing the 2009 party leader election, when Antonis Samaras came first, despite Dora Bakoyanni being the clear favorite in the polls.

Meanwhile Mr. Mitsotakis and Mr. Georgiadis are often critical of Mr. Tzitzikostas, whom they accuse of first escalating the tension within the party. Amid this tension, it seems rather unlikely that a debate will take place, due to the refusal of Mr. Meimarakis, despite the persistence of Mr. Mitsotakis.