Former Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras has unleashed a sharp and personal attack on current Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, accusing him of transforming the ruling New Democracy party into a vehicle for personal power and political control.
Speaking in an interview with ANT1 television, Samaras said he feels a strong “sense of national duty” and is weighing his next steps carefully — including, possibly, the creation of a new political party.
I will decide calmly,” he said. “Whatever my decision — one way or another — I will explain it clearly to my only constant ally for nearly 50 years, the Greek people. But don’t expect a yes or no from me today.”
“New Democracy Now Operates Like a Company”
Samaras accused Mitsotakis of stripping the party of its ideological roots, saying it now operates “like a company” with a single goal: to remain in power.
“They want a party with an owner, one that only cares about power,” he said. “They look only at the numbers, not at people, policies, or ideas.”
He further accused the prime minister of being motivated by personal ambition rather than party or national interest:
“Mr. Mitsotakis is not fighting for the party, not even for New Democracy. He is fighting to maintain his own regime,” Samaras charged. “The problem is not that Samaras dislikes Mitsotakis — it’s that Mitsotakis dislikes the right, the center-right, and even the history and grassroots of New Democracy.”
He went on to describe the party as having become “a hybrid of socialist PASOK with a blue color,” referring to the rival political movement that dominated Greece in past decades.
Accusations of Arrogance and Institutional Disrespect
The former premier also accused Mitsotakis of arrogance and institutional impropriety, citing incidents in Parliament where the prime minister allegedly dismissed other party leaders or made inappropriate remarks.
“He left a parliamentary debate saying he didn’t have time to listen to others. In another session, he told a party leader to ‘stop braying.’ These are signs of arrogance and disrespect toward institutions,” Samaras said.
The Controversy Over His Expulsion
Samaras also addressed his recent expulsion from New Democracy, calling it “unprecedented” and politically motivated.
“He hastily expelled a former prime minister before the interview that caused it had even been published,” Samaras said. “But for others — the so-called ‘Ferrari lady,’ ‘Mr. Frappe,’ and ‘Mr. Butcher’ — it took weeks to decide their expulsion.”
He emphasized that it was the first time in the party’s history that a former leader and prime minister had been expelled, calling the decision “a move of personal offense, supposedly over [Foreign Minister Giorgos] Gerapetritis.”
Criticism of Foreign Policy and Key Ministers
The former leader reserved some of his harshest criticism for Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis, reiterating his demand for the minister’s removal.
“When I asked for his dismissal, I did so only out of concern for my country,” Samaras said. “When a foreign minister says, ‘They can call me a traitor,’ that’s unacceptable — full stop.”
He mocked recent remarks by Gerapetritis describing himself as “philhellene,” saying, “Honestly, that surpasses me.”
Broader Critique: Economy, Migration, and Rising Costs
Beyond internal politics, Samaras also delivered a broad critique of the government’s record, highlighting the economy, demographics, migration, high prices, and farmers’ struggles as areas where he believes the Mitsotakis administration has failed.
While stopping short of a formal political announcement, Samaras’s remarks have fueled speculation about a possible split within the conservative bloc, potentially reshaping the country’s center-right landscape.
Source: tovima.com
