After a lengthy deliberation over who should take charge of the organizational leadership of Greece’s ruling party, New Democracy (ND), and effectively steer it through the pre-election period, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis appears to have made his decision and is drawing from his own cabinet.

According to information confirmed by protothema.gr, Mitsotakis will nominate current Deputy Minister of Transport Konstantinos Kyranakis as the new Secretary of New Democracy. His appointment is expected to be formally approved at the meeting of the party’s Political Committee next Wednesday at 4:00 p.m., with the election of a new secretary being the sole item on the agenda.

A Significant Promotion

The choice of Kyranakis represents a notable move by Mitsotakis. It marks the deputy minister’s second major promotion in just over a year. Following the mass demonstrations related to the Tempi rail disaster, Kyranakis was tasked in March 2025 with overseeing the politically sensitive modernization of Greece’s railway system and broader transportation sector.

In the railway sector, Kyranakis is credited with advancing key projects, including the completion of remote signaling systems expected to be operational by the summer. Trains are now equipped with electronic transmitters that provide real-time location data with second-level accuracy.

He also focused on renewing the public bus fleet, reducing waiting times on the metro network, and introducing all-night metro service on Saturdays. Kyranakis proposed Greece’s new Highway Code, clashed with taxi unions over transportation reforms, and is developing a stricter regulatory framework for electric scooters. Throughout this period, he also managed projects funded through the EU Recovery Fund, whose financing window expires in August.

Given these achievements, Mitsotakis reportedly believes Kyranakis has fulfilled the core mission assigned to him and is now ready for a new challenge: traveling across Greece and revitalizing the party apparatus ahead of future elections.

Strengthening the Party Machine

Kyranakis will not be working alone. He will be supported by experienced party figures, including the Prime Minister’s party affairs adviser Thanasis Nezis, ND Director General Giannis Smyrlis, and Organizational Secretary Stelios Kontadakis.

New Democracy is already launching nationwide tours with mixed government-party delegations beginning Monday. The first visit will take place in the city of Serres with the participation of Deputy Ministers Kostas Katsafados and Lazaros Tsavdaridis.

Government sources describe Kyranakis’ appointment as another demonstration of Mitsotakis’ support for a younger generation of party officials in their thirties who combine party experience with practical political credentials. They compare the move to the appointment of Pavlos Marinakis as party secretary in 2021 and to the promotion of several younger government officials and parliamentary candidates in recent years.

Sources also note that Kyranakis has been a close ally of Mitsotakis since the latter’s successful campaign for the ND leadership in 2015–2016.

According to the same sources, the central objective for the new secretary will be ensuring that all party members actively contribute to the party’s electoral effort.

Balancing Party Leadership and Electoral Politics

Kyranakis is expected to retain his parliamentary ambitions and continue seeking re-election in the Southern Athens constituency, where he was first elected in 2019 and re-elected in 2023.

He will become only the third ND secretary to simultaneously lead the party organization while campaigning for a parliamentary seat. Previous examples include Vangelis Meimarakis in 2004 and Lefteris Zagoritis in 2009.

While this dual role carries electoral risks, it also offers Kyranakis a significant opportunity to enhance his political profile through his leadership of the party machinery.

Cabinet Changes Expected

Following his formal election on Wednesday afternoon, Kyranakis will step down as Deputy Minister of Transport.

As a result, limited changes to the government are expected as early as Thursday. A replacement must also be appointed for Nikos Tagaras at the Ministry of Environment.

Meanwhile, Tasos Chatzivasileiou is reportedly being considered for a return to government in the role of Deputy Foreign Minister, as his involvement in the OPEKEPE case appears likely to be dropped following a prosecutorial decision.