From the podium of New Democracy’s Political Committee, Kyriakos Mitsotakis pointed toward elections in 2027, while at the same time placing the party on immediate electoral alert. This was also his advice to the new secretary, Konstantinos Kyranakis, who has already assumed his duties and is traveling to Thessaloniki today for the first Political Academy for New Democracy officials in Central Macedonia.

“You know very well that what awaits you is not a short sprint, but rather a demanding marathon until the 2027 elections. We are, however—and let’s not fool ourselves anymore—in the final stretch. Every day counts. Together, all of us will once again travel across the whole of Greece, from one end to the other,” Mr. Mitsotakis said pointedly.

Continuing the marathon metaphor and responding to a question about the readiness of New Democracy’s personnel, Mr. Mitsotakis, as he left the Political Committee meeting, emphasized the importance of a strong start to the electoral campaign.

“When you run a marathon, the race is won in the first miles. A marathon is the route, but a good marathon runner finds a rhythm from the beginning,” he said, apparently seeking to dismiss speculation about an early election being called in September.

Many, however, in the informal discussions at the party headquarters on Piraeus Street considered this a realistic possibility, arguing that at the end of the summer Mr. Mitsotakis will assess the circumstances and make his final decisions.

“Not even Mitsotakis himself may know exactly when he will call elections,” a New Democracy official remarked meaningfully. The observation does not seem far from reality.

Party unity and a message to those who have drifted away

Mr. Mitsotakis appears largely indifferent to developments within the opposition or to preparations for a potential party led by Samaras. Nevertheless, he did not miss the opportunity to make pointed remarks against the former prime minister, responding to those who criticize from the comfort of their couches, especially on national issues.

“They are the ones who are drowning on their own in the ‘calm waters,’ forgetting that we keep those ‘calm waters’ free and blue through actions, not slogans. With the strongest armed forces we have ever had in our history and with a national diplomatic footprint that is deep in Europe and throughout the world,” Mr. Mitsotakis said.

In any case, the prime minister did not appear indifferent to the need for New Democracy to reconnect with people who have listened to it, voted for it in the past, and may now have distanced themselves.

Reiterating his commitment to achieving a parliamentary majority through a single election, Mr. Mitsotakis sent a message of unity to this category of citizens, even identifying their re-engagement as a key mission for the new secretary.

“I respect any reservations that a citizen may have about our choices. If that person is a longtime supporter of New Democracy, then our respect only increases. We owe them convincing arguments about our work and fair self-criticism regarding our mistakes. Above all, however, we have a duty to speak honestly about the seriousness of the current circumstances and the stakes that lie ahead,” Mr. Mitsotakis said pointedly.

He insisted—and will continue to insist—on presenting stark dilemmas for the coming election in a turbulent political environment.

50 new candidates

Within this framework, a new organizational phase begins today for New Democracy, which is informally entering a state of long-term pre-election readiness.

Mr. Kyranakis has already settled into his office on the second floor of the party headquarters on Piraeus Street, while after 4:30 p.m. today a number of party officials will speak at the Political Academy in Thessaloniki.

Agrinio, Ioannina, and Larissa will follow, while Mr. Mitsotakis begins a series of regional visits on Saturday starting from Rhodes.

At the core of Mr. Kyranakis’s mission is the imminent announcement of approximately 50 parliamentary candidates so that they can begin campaigning.

According to information from protothema.gr, for Athens A district, New Democracy spokesperson Alexandra Sdoukou is expected to be confirmed. For Corinthia, State MP Giorgos Stamatis is expected to run. Also looking toward Corinthia is Finance Ministry spokesperson Omir Tsapalos, who ran in Athens A in 2023, while the coordinator of the Thessaloniki office, Elena Sokou, will run in Evros.

In Piraeus B, Argyro Tragaki will run, while the names of police union representative Grigoris Gerakarakos and well-known photographer Dimitris Skoulos are also being discussed for the same constituency.

In Thessaloniki A, Deputy Education Minister Nikos Papaioannou is expected to run again, as are likely Deputy Infrastructure Minister Nikos Tachiaos and State MP Nefeli Chatzioannidou.

In Achaia, Andreas Tsokos is expected to run again, while in Argolida Zois Stavropoulos will run. In Messenia, the young lawyer Porfyllenia Kanellopoulou and former Secretary General of KEDKE, Dimitris Kafantaris, will be candidates.

It remains to be seen what will happen with Kostas Ach. Karamanlis and Katerina Papakosta, who have stated their intention not to run again in Serres and Trikala respectively. In the meantime, however, the OPEKEPE case, insofar as it concerns them, may be closed and archived.