Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and New Democracy are analyzing early post-holiday poll numbers ahead of a major policy speech in Thessaloniki next weekend.
Government ministers, deputy ministers, and party officials are preparing for a five-day tour across all prefectures of Northern Greece starting next Friday. Meanwhile, polling and focus group experts at government headquarters are working behind the scenes to evaluate voter sentiment following the summer break.
According to well-informed sources, initial survey samples reaching government staff indicate no significant changes in political standings since polling paused before late July. Ruling party New Democracy maintains vote estimates of around 30 percent.
The political party led by former prime minister Alexis Tsipras, EL.AS, holds second place while trailing the ruling party by a significant double-digit margin. PASOK, the centre-left party led by Nikos Androulakis, remains in third place, with its polling numbers staying well below expectations set at its Harilaou Trikoupi headquarters in Athens.
Voter shifts and regional strategy
Ongoing surveys conducted for Maximos Mansion, the official workplace of the prime minister in Athens, confirm a narrow corridor for centrist PASOK voters to return to New Democracy. This segment of the electorate played a decisive role in securing New Democracy's general election victories in 2019 and 2023.
However, the outlook is less favorable among traditional New Democracy voters who have moved into a grey zone of undecided voters. Hesitation among traditional supporters is a major concern across Northern Greece, prompting the planned mobilization of party figures across every northern prefecture.
Northern Greece, anchored by the port city of Thessaloniki, is traditionally a key stronghold for conservative politics. The annual Thessaloniki International Fair serves as Greece's major political and economic exhibition, where prime ministers outline national budget plans and government policy priorities each September.
Campaign strategy and opposition response
The current government strategy relies on a tough two-front political attack targeting the parties led by Alexis Tsipras and Nikos Androulakis. Advisers plan to finalize their broader election strategy after polls measure public reaction to policy announcements made in Thessaloniki.
Officials at Maximos Mansion are awaiting rolling qualitative surveys scheduled for completion before Prime Minister Mitsotakis travels to the Thessaloniki fair next weekend. Subsequent opinion polls conducted after his announcements will clarify political conditions for the coming months.
Experienced government officials acknowledged that post-fair polling will reveal whether New Democracy has room for further recovery. The surveys will also show whether aiming for a third consecutive single-party parliamentary majority remains realistic, particularly as former prime minister Antonis Samaras prepares to launch a new political party.
