Karystianou’s team is focused on today’s launch of her party, estimating that the first gathering of her supporters in Thessaloniki will open a new chapter in the political landscape.

Maria Karystianou chose for the party’s name words referring to the “hope” that, as she says, citizens are seeking with regard to their future prospects and the immediate improvement of their living conditions. The project, however, is not an easy equation, nor are there many people—apart from her close associates—who make confident predictions about the appeal it will have among broader electoral audiences.

The founding declaration will reveal to a significant extent the ideological and political identity of the new party. It has become evident recently—also through Ms. Karystianou’s statements yesterday—that she is attempting to address a “multicolored” audience, far removed from the traditional “left-right” dividing lines.

The greetings and the surprise figure

Her team expects a large turnout, not only from Thessaloniki and Northern Greece, and bases this optimistic forecast on the continuous flow of signatures being collected under the founding declaration, which Maria Karystianou is expected to submit tomorrow, barring unforeseen developments, to the Supreme Civil and Criminal Court (Areios Pagos).

According to her associates, Ms. Karystianou’s goal is to appeal to broader audiences not only through the party’s name and symbols, but also—and mainly—through the different party model she intends to present. The instructions she has given her associates are to keep several “surprises” for today’s “premiere” regarding the appearances at the Olympion venue. What is certain, however, is that she herself will be the main speaker, while members of the Greek diaspora will deliver greetings through video messages. Information suggests that the person who will in some way “introduce” the event will be quite popular and possibly from the entertainment industry.

“Hope for Democracy” is the name of Maria Karystianou’s party

The full name of the party is: “Hope for Democracy, Maria Karystianou, Independent Citizens’ Movement.”

As protothema.gr wrote earlier this morning, Maria Karystianou chose words associated with “hope” for the party’s name, which, as she says, citizens seek in terms of their future prospects and the immediate improvement of their living conditions. Nevertheless, the endeavor is not a simple equation, and few people—other than those close to her—make confident predictions regarding its broader electoral appeal.

One hour before the opening event of Maria Karystianou’s political party, the few people gathered so far are rushing to sign the party declaration, while some were unable to sign because they did not have identification documents with them.

Preparations inside the Olympion venue are ongoing, including sound checks, in order to prepare the setting where Maria Karystianou will present both the principles by which her party will proceed and the party’s name. A short while ago, two olive trees in pots and a large bouquet of flowers were brought into the venue.