Antonis Samaras prepares new party amid clash with New Democracy

Greek politics is facing a significant shift as former Prime Minister Antonis Samaras prepares to launch a new political party. The move has triggered a direct confrontation with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the ruling New Democracy (ND) party. Mitsotakis has criticized Samaras, suggesting his actions could cause fragmentation within the conservative camp, while ND officials have characterized the move as a potential threat to political stability.

Samaras is reportedly finalizing his party's organizational structures, with a new headquarters expected to open in central Athens in mid-September. The candidate lists are already taking shape, drawing heavily from former ND ministers and officials, including Argyris Dinopoulos, Panos Panagiotopoulos, Kostas Tzavaras, and Thanasis Skordas. Mario Salmas has also expressed readiness to join the new movement.

Internal competition is emerging within the Samaras camp, particularly for top positions on the electoral ballots in the Attica region. Meanwhile, the government has adopted a strategy of active opposition to Samaras, with several high-ranking ND members, such as Dora Bakoyannis and Adonis Georgiadis, publicly criticizing the former Prime Minister's rhetoric and political direction.