Meet the 4 musketeers of the ND party – All for one, but each for the leadership! (pics)

Who is the best man for the job?

101Greece’s main opposition New Democracy (ND) party is set to elect its new leader on November 22, the party’s central election committee announced on Thursday. If a second round of vote is needed, it will be held on November 29. Here’s a profile fo the four candidates:

Vangelis Meimarakis

Born December 14, 1953. The Greek lawyer and politician was dubbed interim leader of the conservatives – taking over from former PM Antonis Samaras – after the Greek referendum on July 5. He had previously served as Speaker of Greek Parliament from 2012 through to 2014 and was former national defence minister from 2006 through to 2009.

His father was a member of Greek Parliament representing Herakleion, Crete, and the young Meimarakis joined the youth group of New Democracy in 1974 when he was a student at Panteion University. He is one of the founding members of the Youth Organization of New Democracy (ONNED).

He is seen as down-to-earth and low-key that appeals to a broad section of society.

Personal Life: Married to Ioanna Kolokota, daughter of Greek actress Nitsa Marouda, and together they have two daughters.

Blemish: There was a little matter of a kickbacks scandal worth 104,198,308 euros for the procurement of the submarine Okeanos when he was minister.

MEIM

Kyriakos Mitsotakis

Born March 4, 1968, Mitsotakis is the son of former Greek PM and honorary president of the conservative New Demoracy party Konstantinos Mitsotakis and the sister of Dora Bakoyannis. He has already expressed that his political background may work against him, but has failed to address taht it may also work in his favor.

Though born in Greece, his family took him to Paris when he was six months old as his father was a persona non grata during the Greek military junta. The family returned when democracy was restored in 1974.

Class president at the prestigious Athens College, he went on for studies at Harvard University andgraduated summa com laude while also being honored with the Hoopes Prize. He also studied at Stanford University where he received a Masters in the International Plan and also was awarded an MBA from Harvard.
As an economic analyst for Chase Manhattan Bank in the early Nineties, he returned to Greece to serve his conscription service with the Hellenic Air Force. In the mid-Nineties he worked for the consultancy, mcKinsey and Company, but returned to Greece for a post at Alpha Ventures (subsidiary of Alpha Bank) and then the National Bank of Greece.

In 2003, he ran as an MP with the New Democracy party at the Athens B constituency. In 2013, he was appointed Minister of Administrative Reform and e-Governance.

Personal life: He is married to Mareva Grabovski. They have three children – Sofia Konstantinos and Daphne

Blemish: It was reported in 2007 that Kyriakos Mitsotakis had involvement in the Siemens political scandal.

MITS
Apostolos Tzitzikostas

Born on September 2, 1978, the young politician ran as governor of the region of Central Macedonia as an Independent despite being formerly a member of the conservative New Democracy Party.

With studies in International Politics and Diplomacy at Georgown University and Public Policy and Economics from the University College of London,

Tzitzikostas has the background needed to guide the party. He also has the breeding as his father, George Tzitzikostas, served as Minister of Macedonia and Thrace for the conservatives.

In 2007, he stood for election for the conservatives in the Thessaloniki A constituency and was elected an MP of Greek Parliament. Though he lost his seat, he was appointed Deputy Head for Greeks Abroad.

In 2010 he was elected Deputy Regional Governor of Central Macedonia but succeeded the Governor following Makis Psomiadis criminal conviction.

Personal Life: He married Eleanna Vlahou in November 2014, after a 4-year relationship.

Blemish: His own party criticized him when he invited Golden Dawn Party representatives to the annual October 28 national parade.

WIVES

Adonis Georgiadis
Born November 6, 1972, he is a Greek politician, historian and publisher. He served as the New Democracy party’s health minister from June 2013 to June 2014. Prior to this, he had been the spokesman for the nationalistic Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) until August 2008.

His studies are in history and archeology from the Faculty of Philosophy of the University of Athens.

He first rose to prominence for his shows advertising the books of his family publishing house Ekdoseis Georgiadi. The family’s bookstores have been targeted by far-leftist opponents, with the one at Exarheia burnt down 17 times.

Personal life: He is married to composer and TV presenter Evgenia Manolidou since 2009. Togther they have a child, however Manolidou has another two children from her first marriage.

Blemish: During his stint as health minister he approved of funds worth 160,000 euros for cables when far more important supplies were missing!

FAM