The Tempi case now acquires a second judicial chapter, with the investigation into Kostas Ach. Karamanlis and seven former secretaries general of the Ministry of Transport underway. The prospect of another Special Court, should the Judicial Council decide to refer the case, creates new political dynamics for New Democracy and particularly for Northern Greece. The possibility of a former minister of the Mitsotakis government finding himself on the stand is not merely a routine judicial development, although under this government, we have witnessed numerous immunity waivers for ministers and MPs. Within ND, it is estimated that this could carry strong political and party symbolism, especially in regions where the Karamanlis name continues to retain a powerful political footprint. Namely across Northern Greece and beyond.
Serres at the epicenter
Serres constitutes the primary and most sensitive focal point of this discussion. Kostas Karamanlis, son of Achilleas, has tied his political career to the region, being the nephew of the founder of New Democracy, and developments in the Tempi case are inevitably expected to impact the climate surrounding ND. The fact that the referral of the former minister originated from a parliamentary majority, as highlighted by figures closely monitoring internal party dynamics, adds another argument for those claiming that Mitsotakis and his MPs "pushed Kostas closer to the Special Court." For the Karamanlis core, the matter is not viewed so simply, even though he himself had concurred. Concerns within the blue camp are significant: what political cost might the case generate in Serres and, more broadly, in Macedonia?
The message from Achilleas Karamanlis
Particular weight is attached, according to behind-the-scenes reports, to the intentions of Achilleas Karamanlis. The brother of ND's founder, a former minister and historic figure of the Karamanlis wing, maintains a close personal relationship with Antonis Samaras and is said to view recent developments with deep concern. He sees his son being publicly smeared while having envisioned him as a successor, and is losing all connection with present-day ND. According to other reports, Achilleas Karamanlis does not intend to actively support ND in the upcoming elections. Should this stance be confirmed in practice, it will carry distinct symbolic weight, joining an already charged political atmosphere in Northern Greece.
And in the background, Kostas Karamanlis
The even larger political question concerns former prime minister Kostas Karamanlis. The distance he has maintained in recent times from the government and Maximos Mansion is well known and has fueled extensive discussion within ND. Behind the scenes, reports circulate that the former prime minister has signaled, through individuals attempting to gauge his intentions, that he has no interest in participating in any political process within ND, let alone engaging in the elections. If this is combined with the stance of Achilleas Karamanlis and the developments concerning Kostas Karamanlis, son of Achilleas, a particularly heavy political landscape emerges, leading to the following conclusion: The Karamanlis family will stand against Mitsotakis in these elections…
Sotiris Pikoulas
www.bankingnews.gr
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