New Democracy leader Antonis Samaras this week busied himself with the “organizational structure” of his center-right New Democracy party, which was abruptly bumped into the main opposition on Sunday after a crushing defeat by radical leftist SYRIZA.

In televised statements on Thursday, the former PM more-or-less avoided self-criticism over his party’s lackluster performance in the elections, while he clarified that New Democracy must now focus on “political housekeeping” and strategy for opposing the new government. Moreover, he noted that a party congress is not among his priorities, although such a development has been demanded by several ND MPs unhappy over ND’s electoral performance under Samaras.

One legitimate news item from Thursday’s ND beat was the fact that Samaras is supportive of any possible bid by current EU Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos to switch to the Greek president’s chair.

According to sources, he spoke with Avramopoulos over the phone on Wednesday and assured him of his support in case the latter is nominated for Greece’s (wholly ceremonial) presidency.

The next steps of the former PM include the establishment of several party committees. Specifically, a political council will be created to include former Parliament president Vangelis Meimarakis, the secretary of the Parliamentary Group, ND deputies, and other officials.

A “strategic planning group” will be reconstituted and will be further enhanced. It has also been decided that New Democracy will nominate MP and former Athens mayor Nikitas Kaklamanis for the position of the deputy speaker of the parliament.