The ND party’s strategy in the last round prior to elections

ND PM A. Samaras is optimistic concerning the national elections on January 25 even though the polls suggest a SYRIZA win

Conservative ND Prime Minister Antonis Samaras is keeping an eye on the polls that show the main opposition Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) as having a lead. Despite the polls, Mr. Samaras continues to believe that the situation can be turned around as there are still many undecided voters and reserves of conservative voters in contrast to SYRIZA that has hit the ceiling as far its level of popularity can go.

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The ND party believes that 70% of undecided voters are from the conservative faction. There is also a large number of pro-European voters from the middle class and political center. Unfortunately for ND, 80% of these voters do not believe that Greece is in danger of exiting the euro and is not moved by Mr. Samaras’ focus on the dangers that would befall Greece in the case of a SYRIZA government.

In a bid to woo undecided voters, Mr. Samaras is showcasing his willingness to work with pro-European forces once he creates a government. He keeps stressign that SYRIZA has no allies, something that could cause problems for the country.

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Over the coming days, Mr. Samaras will urge the undecided voters to cast their ballots, however he will also court pro-European centrist Potami voters that may opt for ND to avert a SYRIZA government. Using the same logic, the ND leadership also hopes to poach votes from other right-wing parties such as the anti-austerity rightist Independent Greeks (ANEL) and the ultranationalist Golden Dawn (GD).

He is doing his best to convince the middle class that a conservative government would be to their benefit with meetings with medical representatives, lawyers and a speech for SMEs scheduled for Tuesday. On Wednesday, Mr. Samaras is visiting Thessaloniki and a central gathering is planned for Athens following this.

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Despite his interest in showing the difference between ND and the SYRIZA party in the hope that voters will see that his party is a more secure option, Mr. Samaras is avoiding a debate with SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras. “I don’t speak with slanderers,” he said.

ND deputies and other officials do not share the Prime Minister’s optimism and believe that the elections will judge the extent of SYRIZA’s power in Parliament rather than wether it will win the elections per se. They believe that the only thing that can avert this would be something truly shocking or a big mistake by the opposition.