New Democracy returns this afternoon to the Metropolitan Expo conference center for its 16th regular party congress, after a break at Zappeion ahead of the 2024 European elections, with Kyriakos Mitsotakis using his speech to effectively give the starting signal for a long pre-election period. After this, the governing party aspires to achieve something unprecedented since 1974: to win three consecutive elections and remain in power for another four-year term.

Not coincidentally, the congress slogan is “Together for Greece in 2030,” which indicates that Mitsotakis will outline in his speech the main pillars of a third term—pillars that also function, in practice, as electoral dilemmas that will be put more forcefully to citizens as elections approach.

The Prime Minister’s main goal is for the party congress to act as a launchpad for electoral readiness, which is why he will send the message that everyone must operate as if elections were tomorrow—even if they are still some time away. Not everyone within New Democracy believes elections will necessarily be held in 2027, with an autumn scenario also on the table, but this does not concern the Maximos Mansion, which sees growing momentum in party readiness.

However, the situation inside ND is not rosy, nor is its polling position particularly enviable, as it is affected both by natural fatigue after seven years in power and by reputational damage from scandals troubling the government. On the other hand, the strong counterargument is that ND remains by far the leading party and the only political force presenting a coherent plan for the next day, in contrast to a fragmented opposition.

ND also has to manage the distancing of several party figures from leadership decisions, most notably the expulsion of Antonis Samaras, which marked a rupture with Mitsotakis. Nevertheless, no major internal turbulence is expected at the congress, as the various factions are in coordination with the central party mechanism ahead of the election of the new Political Committee, with voting starting Sunday afternoon.

Mitsotakis’ messages

According to government sources, Mitsotakis will begin with a review of the government’s work since the last party congress, and more broadly over the past seven years of ND governance. He will then move from what has been achieved to what remains to be done, pointing toward a third term and presenting priorities and directions for the post-2027 period.

A key focus will be the question: “Why a third term?” He is expected to stress not only the opposition’s inability to present an alternative, but also the importance of maintaining a growth trajectory that allows for continued tax cuts and income increases.

At this point, he will also refer to the difficult international environment with clear economic, geopolitical, and energy consequences. He will emphasize the importance of stability and internal political order—especially for a country like Greece in this region—arguing that these are national achievements guaranteed only by ND.

He will also factor in Greece’s upcoming EU Presidency on July 1, 2027. His criticism of the opposition is expected to remain restrained, focusing mainly on “toxicity” and the heterogeneous nature of opposition forces that unite solely with the aim of toppling the government.

Mitsotakis is expected to adopt a unifying tone, countering occasional rumors of internal divisions, and will extend an invitation to voters who supported ND in 2019 and 2023, referring also to the ideological and political identity of the party today.

The three-day congress

The congress opens today with a speech by organizing committee chairman Theodoros Roussopoulos, while a commemorative video of key party milestones will be shown before Mitsotakis’ address.

On Saturday, speeches by delegates will take place across six thematic sections, along with addresses by senior officials including the two vice presidents Kostis Hatzidakis and Adonis Georgiadis. Additional speeches are expected from top ministers and MPs such as Nikos Dendias, Kyriakos Pierrakakis, Takis Theodorikakos, Pavlos Marinakis, Vassilis Kikilias, and Makis Voridis.

That day, Mitsotakis will also participate in a panel on artificial intelligence.

International guests will include Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides and EPP President Manfred Weber (speaking Saturday), EPP Secretary-General Dolors Montserrat and Speaker of the Cypriot Parliament Annita Demetriou (speaking Sunday), as well as video messages from Jean-Claude Juncker and Roberta Metsola.

Former Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis will not attend, confirming his continued distance from the party leadership, while Vangelis Meimarakis will be present but is not expected to speak.

The congress will conclude on Sunday with another speech by Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

The new secretary

The announcement of the new party secretary is expected to remain pending for a few more days. The secretary will most likely be an MP.

Reportedly shortlisted candidates include Giorgos Stylios, Giannis Pappas, and Deputy Interior Minister Vassilis Spanakis, among others.

The new Political Committee will be elected at the congress and is expected to meet after Pentecost to choose the new secretary, following the resignation of Kostas Skrekas over the OPEKEPE case. During the interim period, organizational secretary Stelios Kontadakis has been serving in the role.