Antonis Samaras attacks ND and Dora Bakoyanni in new videos, sparking political row

Former prime minister Antonis Samaras posted two short videos on social media in which he blames the governing New Democracy (ND) party for losing its “auto‑dynamism” – claiming his advice on ten policy points was ignored and that the party’s support fell from about 40 % to 20 %. He also taunted ND MP Dora Bakoyanni, recalling the 2009 intra‑party defeat and saying, “find out first with her brother.”

Bakoyanni responded on the radio programme Παραπολτικά 90.1, saying Samaras’s aim is to damage ND and that the Greek electorate will decide at the polls. She reiterated her loyalty to the party, rejected any alliance with Samaras, and warned that the ultimate judgement rests with voters.

Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis criticised the videos as personal attacks that do not contribute to policy discussion, stressing that the administration’s priority is to implement measures that improve citizens’ lives. The dispute unfolds while recent polls show ND and the party of Alexis Tsipras within ten points of each other, with national elections expected in six to seven months. Rumours of Samaras forming a new political formation have circulated, but senior ND figures from the “Karamanlis” camp have publicly said they will remain with the party.