The 50th anniversary of New Democracy’s founding by Konstantinos Karamanlis is being celebrated today, with the party returning to its historic headquarters on Rigillis Street. According to protothema.gr, former Prime Ministers Kostas Karamanlis and Antonis Samaras will be absent from this “unity gathering.”
Reports suggest that Karamanlis and Samaras have communicated with each other regarding their decision, confirming earlier speculation that the two former leaders would act in tandem.
When asked about the absence of the two former prime ministers, an official source declined to comment, simply stating: “Today is dedicated to all New Democracy supporters.”
Associates of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis noted that he made the necessary gesture, personally inviting both Karamanlis and Samaras, which was not guaranteed after the critical remarks made by the “former leaders” during a speech at the War Museum in early July.
The 50th Anniversary Celebration
Kyriakos Mitsotakis is expected to take the stage in front of the building at “18 Rigillis Street” shortly after 8:00 PM. For around 35 years, New Democracy’s headquarters were housed in the neoclassical building on Rigillis, which is linked to some of the most critical moments of the post-dictatorship era. Financial constraints eventually led the party to relocate, first to Syngrou Avenue and later to Piraeus Street. Today’s event is planned to be a “dive” into the party’s historical past, with the iconic torch symbol present. The building’s balcony, where both victories were celebrated and historic defeats were recorded, is expected to be adorned with flags.
New Democracy remains the most resilient party of the post-dictatorship era, maintaining a path to power for fifty years. Earlier today, Mitsotakis gave an interview on Mega and, during his speech tonight, is expected to “bridge” the past and present—highlighting New Democracy’s historical choices that were vindicated, alongside the modern challenges the party faces under his leadership, as it enjoys a period of nearly uninterrupted political dominance.
