A party conference marked by politically significant statements, pointed remarks, and ideological nuances from top members of New Democracy (ND) is unfolding today at the Metropolitan Expo. Beyond the interventions of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who has clearly framed the electoral dilemma whenever given the opportunity, key government ministers are making politically charged interventions concerning both the present and the future of the party.

During the second day of the conference, two distinct political “platforms” with strong internal party significance emerged. Chronologically, Kyriakos Pierrakakis, Finance Minister and president of the Eurogroup, spoke first. He sent a message of unity and commitment to society’s core principles while indirectly criticizing internal rivalries and personal political strategies.

“The public does not expect us to focus on ourselves. It is not interested in internal whispers, narcissism, or petty egos,” he said, stressing that citizens expect solutions to everyday problems and improvements in their quality of life. He also urged party officials to show political courage, emphasizing that “great political movements do not win when they stare at themselves in the mirror, but when they look toward the country’s horizon.”
“History does not remember those who hesitated in fear, but those who dared. Let us dare again, let us dare together, with Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the helm of the country, to inspire and prove that we can succeed,” he concluded.

Dendias’ intervention

On the other side of the ideological spectrum, the midday speech by Nikos Dendias sparked intense discussion. Positioned ideologically to the right of the center and focused on ND’s “ideological core,” the Defense Minister delivered several pointed remarks, expressed concern over polling numbers, and described the “Agenda 2030” reform program at the Defense Ministry as a broad vehicle for transformation. In practice, Dendias appeared as an autonomous and distinct internal party pole.

“The European elections sounded an alarm bell. We lost 55% of our electoral strength. Our votes dropped from 2,407,000 to 1,125,000. One out of every two citizens who voted for us in May 2023 sent us a clear message. They asked for more. They asked for better. They asked for greater effectiveness. Citizens expect a lot from us. They expect us to change the country. Otherwise, they may decide to change us,” he said emphatically.

“The polls concern us. They are far below the triumphs of Kyriakos Mitsotakis in 2019 and 2023,” he added meaningfully.

Dendias spoke as a “pure-blooded” ND figure, repeatedly referring to the party’s DNA and ideological identity, while rejecting an overly technocratic approach to politics. Coincidentally, at the same time in another conference hall, Akis Skertsos was speaking.

“We are ready to acknowledge our weaknesses, mistakes, and delays—especially those of us serving in government positions. Isolation is dangerous. It can easily evolve into ‘governmental institutionalization,’” he added, stressing that the government should listen to concerns raised by MPs. The remark immediately brought to mind the recent discussion surrounding the text published by five ND MPs in the newspaper Ta Nea.

The “dialogue” between the vice presidents

One of the most interesting moments of the conference was the unusual exchange between the party’s two vice presidents, Kostis Hatzidakis and Adonis Georgiadis, both elected in the northern district of Athens.

Hatzidakis stressed the need for unity and political responsibility, while emphasizing that party officials must protect the moral character of the party and serve something greater than themselves.

Georgiadis, in turn, highlighted the need for ND officials not to “be afraid” and to fight their battles forcefully, even in the face of bullying. In that context, he rejected the comme il faut approach as a political strategy—a subtle contrast with Hatzidakis, who is known for supporting a more moderate political style.

“None of our political opponents has the right to lecture us,” Georgiadis underlined, once again directing criticism at Nikos Androulakis over the real estate controversy in Heraklion.

Interestingly, the two vice presidents crossed paths again shortly afterward in the press room while speaking with journalists—Georgiadis on his way out and Hatzidakis on his way in. Both, however, issued calls for unity directed at former ND members who have distanced themselves from the party.

Marinakis and the “torch”

Government spokesperson and former ND secretary Pavlos Marinakis also delivered a speech with strong party-oriented symbolism.

“Kyriakos Mitsotakis opened the party’s doors and gave opportunities to new faces—not only young in age,” Marinakis said.

Recalling a famous phrase by former Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis at the ONNED conference in 2008 about “the torch being passed from generation to generation,” Marinakis chose to define what that torch represents.

“The torch is our shared ideas. The torch is society’s anxieties. The torch is ‘we’ and not ‘I.’ The torch is all those people who never asked for anything and who were always present when the party called upon them. The torch has taught us to fight for society’s needs and, when battle comes, to put aside bitterness and disagreements for the sake of the homeland. The torch is the reason—our ideas—that have kept New Democracy the only major political force for 52 years,” Marinakis emphasized.