If anything became clear from Antonis Samaras's latest interventions, it is that his relationship with current New Democracy has entered a new phase. On the exact day marking ND's 52nd anniversary, while the political party attempted to highlight its journey and historical legacy, the former prime minister chose to intervene via a new video message, launching direct criticisms against the current Greek government. The phrasing "they were swept away by the river" and, most notably, the reference that "they cannot even pave it over," represent explicit assertions that ND has transformed into a clique of extreme centrists driven by shared interests, signaling an irreversible political rupture. The sharp reference to "paving over," making a clear allusion to the Tempi train accident where authorities paved over the crash site to evade official accountability, further escalates political tensions.
Candidate lists taking concrete shape
Meanwhile, political developments behind the scenes surrounding the new initiative are moving at a rapid pace. Kostas Tzavaras and Marios Salmas remain at the core of figures supporting the political movement, while the list of prospective candidates includes Thanasis Skordas, Akis Gerontopoulos, Christos Zois, Panos Panagiotopoulos, Argyris Dinopoulos, Manolis Angelakas, Zoi Roussou, Theodoros Fortsakis, Sofia Nikolaou, Antonis Bezas, and Ioanna Gelestathi. Speculative scenarios have also named Natalie Kakkava and Alexis Pappas, though their direct participation remains unconfirmed. In the Peloponnese region, active discussions involve Dimitris Schoinochoritis, Fevronia Patrianakou, Petros Tatoulis, and Evi Tatouli, alongside Giorgos Magklaras, Giorgos Samartzis, and Apostolis Kalogiannis.
From Achaea to Northern Greece
In Achaea, potential candidates include Angelos Tsigkris, Nikos Oikonomopoulos, Antonis Kounavis, Georgia Datsika, and Vicky Davlourou, while the movement has also been linked with Nikos Nikolopoulos. In Aetolia-Acarnania, reports mention Nikos Kazantzis and Kostas Ploumis, whereas in Elis, Odysseas Zoras and Christina Lefkaditi-Karagianni are cited. Across Northern Greece, names floating in party circles include Voula Patoulidou, Nikos Karagiannakidis, Veniamin Karakostanoglou, Dimitris Panozachos, Ariadni Nouka, Petros Atamian, Kostas Anestidis, Nikos Anastasiadis, Dimitris Christogiannis, Stathis Sarigiannidis, Kostas Ziogas, Dimitra Bideli, and Menelaos Vlachveis. In Kozani, Chrysoula Markousi is being discussed; in Grevena, Dimitris Tsaknakis; in Florina, Vasilis Tsepas and Pantelis Argyriadis; while Zisis Tzikalagias declared himself active and Agis Tzikalagias is reportedly in preliminary party talks.
Thessaly, Central Greece and organizational machinery
In Thessaly, reported figures include Orestis Psachoulas, Sotiris Kouloktsis, Meni Prantzou, Panagiotis Perrakis, Kostas Maravegias, Giorgos Adamoulis, Stelios Liaskos, Valantis Tsioutsias, and Alekos Polymeropoulos. In Euboea, Yiannis Katsiamakas and Kostas Markopoulos are mentioned; in Boeotia, Loukas Katsonis; in Phthiotis, Aliki Liaska and Nikos Stavrogiannis; while in Crete, Grigoris Paspatis is named. In Ioannina, reports cite Pantelis Kolokas and Yiannis Karambinas; in Preveza, Stergios Giannakis; and in Samos, Stratos Kapolis. The organizational strategy is reportedly supported by Kostas Tsimaras, Serafeim Tsokas, and Sergios Tsiftis, alongside academic figures Ioannis Mazis, Yiannis Panagiotopoulos, Marios Efthymiopoulos, and Meletis Meletopoulos. The critical question remains when this venture will transition from informal contacts, candidate names, and speculative scenarios to an official public announcement. Many political operatives require sufficient lead time to conduct fierce local opposition within their respective electoral districts. All indicators point toward a deep ideological rift that will siphon significant electoral strength from ND. Most participating figures are former ND party members who departed in frustration, strongly motivated to campaign actively and draw crucial conservative votes away from the governing party.
S.P.
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