Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis targeted a fourth consecutive election victory for New Democracy as Greece's ruling party celebrated its 52nd anniversary in Athens.
Addressing between 2,500 and 3,000 party members at the former OSY bus depot, Mitsotakis sought to boost morale and dispel gloomy forecasts regarding the upcoming election results for the governing party.
Exiting the anniversary event, Mitsotakis drew a political analogy from playing basketball with friends at the venue, where he successfully scored on all four of his shot attempts. He told journalists that winning three consecutive elections meant something and that the party was now aiming for a fourth victory.
Mitsotakis reminded attendees that New Democracy would once again prove wrong the expectations of those who believed the party could not reach its goals, pointing to previous electoral successes in 2019 and 2023. He highlighted that the party had achieved back to back victories over 40 percent four times in its history, under leaders Konstantinos Karamanlis, Konstantinos Mitsotakis, and Kostas Karamanlis.
New Democracy is Greece's main center-right political party, founded in 1974 by Konstantinos Karamanlis following the collapse of the military dictatorship. The party currently holds a parliamentary majority under Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who has served as prime minister since 2019.
The anniversary gathering brought together long-time party loyalists alongside recent recruits in Gazi, a central Athens district known for its industrial heritage sites. The venue featured retro elements including the party's historic torch emblem, photographs of 1980s cars, and a display depicting the former party headquarters on Rigillis Street. Music at the event mixed traditional party songs with modern pop tracks.
Mitsotakis emphasized the party's capacity for internal adaptation, stating that New Democracy had managed to constantly renew itself and look to the present and future without viewing events through the glasses of the past.
Absence of Former Leaders
A central topic of discussion among attendees was the absence of prominent former party leaders and prime ministers, including Antonis Samaras, Kostas Karamanlis, and Vangelis Meimarakis. Although video screens at the venue displayed historic footage featuring all past party presidents, none of the three living former leaders attended the gathering in person.
Samaras was expelled from the party nearly two years ago and is considering the creation of a new political party ahead of a scheduled public address at a conference organized by the newspaper Vima. Kostas Karamanlis was absent due to business commitments in Xanthi with the tobacco cooperative SEKE, while Meimarakis was attending a European Parliament plenary session in Strasbourg, having indicated he could only have attended had the anniversary taken place on a Sunday.
Kostas Karamanlis served as prime minister from 2004 to 2009, while Samaras led the Greek government from 2012 to 2015 during the national debt crisis. Meimarakis served as interim party leader in 2015 and currently represents New Democracy as a member of the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
Questions were also raised regarding the absence of Defense Minister Nikos Dendias. Party officials confirmed Dendias was on an official mission to Venice for the Adriatic Defense Ministers summit, though his staff and local party representatives from southern Athens were present at the gathering.
Party Arrivals and Leadership Presence
Several notable party figures made prominent arrivals at the venue. Kyriakos Pierrakakis posed for photographs with members of the party youth wing, ONNED, near the media marquee outside the entrance. Grigoris Dimitriadis arrived alongside ONNED members who had pre-assembled at Asomaton Square, while Dora Bakoyannis was among the first to write on the event wish wall, inscribing the words fatherland, soul, and truth.
The event was attended by senior cabinet members and party officials, including vice presidents Kostis Hatzidakis and Adonis Georgiadis, Speaker of Parliament Nikitas Kaklamanis, government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis, and cabinet ministers Vassilis Kikilias, Niki Kerameus, Makis Voridis, Takis Theodorikakos, Thanos Plevris, and Olga Kefalogianni. Member of Parliament for Serres Kostas Achillea Karamanlis was also among the attendees.
Organization of the event was led by party Secretary Konstantinos Kyranakis, General Director Giannis Smyrlis, Organizational Secretary Stelios Kontadakis, and prime ministerial advisor Thanasis Nezis. Newly announced candidates Giorgos Floridis and Dimitris Skoulos received congratulations on their inclusion on election lists, while Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister Giorgos Mylonakis was greeted following his recent return to duties at Maximos Mansion.
Political Outlook and Challenges
Following the anniversary celebrations, New Democracy faces a challenging political and economic landscape ahead of the winter season. Speaking on the country's trajectory, Mitsotakis warned that political and economic conditions were rough and could become more turbulent, asserting that navigating such conditions required a skilled captain, a capable crew, and a strong vessel.
Mitsotakis pledged that the government would not compromise its course, stating that Greece would not turn back or succumb to populists who had merely adopted new appearances after the country fought hard to leave behind dark days. Party officials now look ahead to upcoming parliamentary elections as the government navigates ongoing political headwinds.
