Kyriakos Mitsotakis put an end to speculation that he might not lead New Democracy into the 2027 elections, potentially paving the way for a leadership contest among the party’s “top brass.” Speaking to ANT1’s main evening news bulletin, in the wake of the Metro’s inauguration, Mitsotakis emphasized this. The event marked a pivotal moment for the government, which completed a project long regarded as a joke—one few believed would ever be realized. With the accelerated efforts of recent years, the November 2024 milestone was achieved, and Mitsotakis believes much more can be accomplished by 2027. Consequently, the political landscape during the next elections will look entirely different.

“I will lead New Democracy in the 2027 elections, health permitting. This is something I’ve made clear to myself,” Mitsotakis stated emphatically on ANT1. He also reiterated his decision not to change the electoral law, as he recently mentioned on Alpha, since doing so would signal a lack of confidence. “I received similar suggestions before the 2023 elections. And I want to remind you that many back then thought New Democracy couldn’t secure a parliamentary majority. I personally believe in single-party governments, but I’m not going to change the rules of the game to make it easier for New Democracy to achieve that,” he stressed.

Projects like the Thessaloniki Metro, according to Mitsotakis, will play a crucial role in shifting public sentiment, helping the government overcome the natural wear and tear of time as well as its own shortcomings. These are the so-called “deliverable projects,” which the government aims to associate with its second term. For instance, Thessaloniki can anticipate the Flyover by early 2027, along with other major interventions such as the redevelopment of the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF). The new Patras-Pyrgos national road, another long-delayed project, will be open by spring 2025. Additionally, other major projects are in the pipeline, including Metro Line 4 in Athens and the Northern Crete Highway (BOAK), perhaps the most complex public infrastructure project today.

Coalitions and Decisions on the Presidency

While Mitsotakis refrained from making definitive predictions about the 2027 political landscape, he did raise the possibility of coalition governments. In his view, coalition models have proven dysfunctional in practice, citing the collapse of Germany’s three-party coalition and the government crisis in France. However, the ultimate judge is the people. “If the Greek people decide we should govern alone in the next elections, they’ll give us that mandate. If they decide they want a coalition government, we will respect that mandate as well,” Mitsotakis said, carefully avoiding any mention of potential coalition partners for New Democracy, should the need arise.

In a notable shift, Mitsotakis hinted for the first time that it is not certain whether Katerina Sakellaropoulou will be proposed again for the presidency. He clarified that this issue will not be discussed with Nikos Androulakis in their upcoming meeting on Wednesday, as he has not yet reached a decision. This statement, however, reflects ongoing deliberations in the Prime Minister’s office, where potential candidates beyond Sakellaropoulou are being evaluated. This comes despite her multiple public appearances with Mitsotakis during yesterday’s Metro “premiere.”