Antonis Samaras hints at new party in Crete, attacks Mitsotakis

Former prime minister Antonis Samaras addressed an audience at the Heraklion Chamber of Commerce, delivering a sharply critical speech against Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and former opposition leader Alexis Tsipras. He argued that a significant part of the centre‑right electorate is no longer represented and warned that “politics does not tolerate voids.”

Samaras outlined a vision of an “other Greece” focused on production, entrepreneurship, family values and regional development, and he criticised the government’s handling of relations with Turkey, the migration issue on Crete, road safety and over‑tourism. He also raised concerns about the treatment of the Greek minority in Albania and the need for stronger support to small‑ and medium‑sized enterprises.

He said he will announce the decisions on a possible new political formation “when and as it should be,” adding that “in the fights for the fatherland there is no retirement.” The speech signals a potential new political force ahead of Greece’s next national elections.