The ruling party has expelled former Prime Minister Antonis Samaras following an interview he gave to To Vima tis Kyriakis, in which he launched a scathing attack on Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Giorgos Gerapetritis, accusing them of “betrayal.”
In a statement issued by government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis, it was emphasized:
“With today’s interview, he has placed himself, for the second time since 1993, outside New Democracy. That was his goal. This time, however, history will not repeat itself. The government majority will continue its course firmly, without Mr. Samaras. No one has the right to jeopardize the country’s stability during these turbulent times.”
Double Expulsion in Progress
Reports suggest that Samaras’ expulsion will be “dual,” as the process has already begun to remove him both from the Parliamentary Group and the party itself.
The government’s announcement underscores that Samaras did not merely express opinions but showed “complete disagreement with the entirety of government policy.” Furthermore, Marinakis pointed out that “he even went so far as to claim that the Prime Minister of Greece and the President of Cyprus were ‘fulling around’ with the Presidents of Turkey and Albania.”
This marks a significant escalation in internal party tensions and highlights a decisive move by the government to maintain cohesion amidst ongoing challenges.
Vangelis Marinakis remarked that the discussion surrounding Samaras’ proposal for Kostas Karamanlis to become the next President of the Republic is untimely, adding that it “constitutes an insult to both the individual and the institution of the head of state.” Finally, Mr. Marinakis issued a pointed statement, emphasizing that society has moved past partisan “grudges,” while clarifying that “those who envision a diminished New Democracy at 18% should reflect on the fact that, under Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ strategy, New Democracy has won three national elections so far with percentages in the range of 40%.”
Pavlos Marinakis stated: “We have repeatedly stated that former Prime Ministers have the special privilege of occasionally expressing their views and concerns on political issues. However, in his latest interview, Mr. Samaras did not merely express opinions. He openly disagreed with the entirety of the government’s policy. Moreover, in an inappropriate and provocative manner, he adopted extreme falsehoods, distorting statements by the Foreign Minister that have been clarified repeatedly and in detail. He even went so far as to claim that the Prime Minister of Greece and the President of the Republic of Cyprus were ‘bantering’ with the President of Turkey and the Prime Minister of Albania. Finally, the untimely discussion he insisted upon regarding the election of the President of the Republic constitutes an insult to both the individual and the institution of the head of state.”
“All of the above cannot be tolerated or accepted. Society has long left behind political ‘intrigues’ and behaviors driven by partisan grudges. Those who envision a diminished New Democracy at 18% should reflect on the fact that, under Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ strategy, New Democracy has so far won three national elections with percentages in the range of 40%. Consequently, with today’s interview, Mr. Samaras has, for the second time since 1993, placed himself outside New Democracy. After all, that is what he sought. However, this time, history will not repeat itself. The government majority continues its course firmly, without Mr. Samaras. No one has the right to play with the country’s stability during these turbulent times.”
The timeline of events
Everything began with an interview by the former Prime Minister in To Vima newspaper. Mr. Samaras accused the government of cultivating a sense of “opportunity” in Greek-Turkish relations, at a time when Turkey has escalated its demands and provocations. He also commented that, in light of a recent statement by Mr. Gerapetritis, some people should “be sent home” by the Prime Minister, if they’ve said things like, “let them call us traitors.” Similarly, the former Prime Minister attacked Mr. Mitsotakis, referencing remarks about friendly exchanges with Nikos Pappas, saying, “Are you referring to the same Nikos Pappas who gifted the Prime Minister a book with a handwritten dedication in Parliament just days ago? By banter, do you mean the laughter and cordiality we saw between Erdoğan, Rama, Christodoulides, Fidan, and the Greek Prime Minister on the sidelines of the European Summit? This is not serious.” At the same time, he ruled out the possibility of being nominated by Mr. Mitsotakis for the Presidency of the Republic, stating, “I consider Kostas Karamanlis the best choice.”
Response from Karamanlis’ side
Meanwhile, sources close to Kostas Karamanlis commented on Samaras’ proposal for the former Prime Minister to be nominated for the Presidency of the Republic, stating that “there was no prior consultation” between the two men, implying that the statement was entirely Mr. Samaras’ initiative.
Samaras’ criticism on Greek-Turkish relations and Gerapetritis
In his interview, Antonis Samaras stressed that “the government is initiating dialogue while preemptively declaring that it will make concessions from its original positions.” He accused Athens of naive “invocation of bravery,” emphasizing that instead of discouraging Turkish demands, Greece is sending the wrong signals to Ankara. The former Prime Minister criticized the government for “not even demanding the revocation of Turkey’s casus belli, while publicly promoting friendship with the neighboring country.” He also commented on Turkey’s “Blue Homeland” doctrine, which, as he said, “is now openly taught in Turkish schools,” highlighting serious oversights on Greece’s part. He clarified that “we are obliged to negotiate the delineation of the EEZ with Turkey! Not to debate whether islands have an EEZ…” Additionally, he stated, “Turkey demands that we agree in advance to surrender the jurisdiction of our islands – that is, the economic exploitation of vast maritime areas.”
Mr. Samaras added: “Turkey demands that we entirely bypass international law by accepting co-exploitation of wind farms in the Aegean over EEZ areas under our jurisdiction! Essentially, they are asking us to share what is ours or, at the very least, co-exploit it! So what exactly are we negotiating?” Responding to accusations of past talks with Erdoğan, Mr. Samaras explained: “At the time, there was no Turkey-Libya memorandum! This memorandum blatantly violates international law, directly infringes on Greece’s sovereign rights, and – incidentally – has not even been ratified by Libya’s House of Representatives! In every respect, it is illegal!” He also pointed out that “during my tenure, there was neither the settlement of Varosha nor the insistence on two separate states in Cyprus… None of these existed then.”
Regarding Gerapetritis
Without naming him, Mr. Samaras called for the removal of Giorgos Gerapetritis from the position of Foreign Minister. His criticism stemmed from a recent statement in which Gerapetritis said, “let them call me a traitor if it means we’ll have a peaceful neighborhood.” According to the former Prime Minister: “In this case, the Prime Minister should ‘send home’ those who claim that in the name of ‘friendship and peace’ with Turkey, they are willing to ‘be called traitors’! How did this come about? Why should someone who adheres to the established national line be called a traitor? Such things should never be said!”
About the Woke Agenda and Green Transition
Commenting on international developments, Mr. Samaras linked Donald Trump’s re-election prospects with the rise of the Right in Europe. “The same reasons that elected Trump in America have fueled the rise of Le Pen in France, the government of Meloni in Italy, and the Party for Freedom in the Netherlands.” He also addressed the “woke agenda,” describing it as one of the factors harming society: “The woke agenda, illegal immigration, and the rushed ‘green transition’ led to Trump’s major victory.”
“Karamanlis is the best choice for the Presidency”
Regarding a potential proposal by Kyriakos Mitsotakis for the Presidency of the Republic, Mr. Samaras responded: “This will not happen. Of course, if you ask me, I consider Kostas Karamanlis the best choice.”
