In a stunning development that has sent shockwaves through the Greek political landscape, former Prime Minister Antonis Samaras has been expelled from the ruling New Democracy party. The ouster comes as a result of Samaras’ persistent and vocal criticism of current government policies, which party leadership deemed unacceptable.
Clashes Over Foreign Policy and Social Issues
According to well-placed sources within the New Democracy party, the decision to remove Samaras was precipitated by his strongly-worded disapproval of the government’s approach to negotiations with Turkey. The hardline nationalist likened the current stance to appeasement, a characterization that clearly rankled party leaders.
Samaras’ dissent was not limited to foreign policy matters. He also took issue with what he perceived as an overly “centrist” or “woke” domestic agenda, particularly singling out the recent legislation legalizing same-sex marriage. This socially conservative position put him at odds with the more progressive elements within New Democracy.
Government Responds to “Extreme Lies”
The proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back appears to have been an interview Samaras gave to the Sunday newspaper To Vima, in which he reportedly called for the removal of Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis over his handling of the Turkey negotiations. Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis minced no words in announcing Samaras’ expulsion:
“Mr. Samaras did not just express opinions. He expressed his complete disagreement with all governing policies. Moreover, he adopted extreme lies about the foreign minister in an unbecoming and provocative manner.”
The former prime minister fired back in his own lengthy statement, accusing current PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis of “arrogance and loss of nerve.” Samaras contended that Mitsotakis, “cut off from the party base, is leading a party that scarcely resembles New Democracy.”
History Repeats Itself?
Political observers note that this is not the first time Samaras has found himself at loggerheads with the Mitsotakis family. In 1992, then-Prime Minister Konstantinos Mitsotakis, father of the current premier, dismissed Samaras as foreign minister over policy differences regarding the name dispute with what was then the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (now North Macedonia).
The following year, Samaras broke away from New Democracy, taking a handful of like-minded lawmakers with him. This defection brought down the elder Mitsotakis’ government and ushered in over a decade of socialist rule. Samaras went on to found his own party, Political Spring, though it ultimately proved short-lived.
Stability Concerns Amid Slim Majority
While government spokesperson Marinakis insisted that “the government majority continues its course, without Mr. Samaras,” political analysts are quick to point out that New Democracy’s parliamentary majority is razor-thin, with just 155 out of 300 seats. Both Samaras and former PM Kostas Karamanlis, now retired, are believed to have a number of loyalists within the party ranks.
In his controversial interview, Samaras reportedly suggested that Karamanlis should replace current President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, a left-of-center former judge whose term is set to expire in early 2025. Sakellaropoulou was elected with the backing of Mitsotakis, adding another layer of intrigue to the unfolding political drama.
Repercussions for Greek Politics
As the dust settles from this latest upheaval, questions abound regarding the future direction of the New Democracy party and the stability of the Mitsotakis government. Will Samaras’ expulsion serve to consolidate the prime minister’s control, or will it expose fault lines within the party that could threaten its hold on power?
Much may depend on how Samaras chooses to proceed in the wake of his ouster. Will he quietly fade into political obscurity, or will he attempt to rally his supporters and challenge Mitsotakis’ leadership from outside the party structure? The coming weeks and months will be crucial in determining the fallout from this high-stakes political gambit.
For now, all eyes are on Athens as the nation’s political class grapples with yet another seismic shift in the ever-turbulent landscape of Greek politics. As the old saying goes, “the only constant is change,” and change has certainly come knocking at New Democracy’s door in the form of Antonis Samaras’ unceremonious departure.
