Antonis Samaras hints at founding new party and attacks Mitsotakis government

Former prime minister Antonis Samaras delivered a high‑profile speech in Heraklion, Crete, warning that Greece faces a critical juncture and accusing the ruling New Democracy (ND) party of abandoning its founding principles. He referenced a loss of up to two million voters between 2023 and 2024 and described a “different Greece” that should focus on production, family, and integrity.

Samaras also signalled the possible creation of his own political movement, noting that the timing could attract disaffected right‑wing voters and those in the “grey zone” of undecided supporters. His remarks included sharp criticism of ND’s foreign‑policy stance toward Turkey and the recent “Blue Homeland” doctrine, suggesting the government is moving toward a diplomatic trap. The speech has prompted reactions from ND figures, including MP Makis Voridis, who dismissed the idea of new “volunteer parties” and defended the government’s defence and energy policies.

Analysts view Samaras’s statements as a potential reshaping of Greece’s right‑wing landscape ahead of future elections, with the prospect of a splinter party siphoning votes from ND’s traditional base.