New Democracy rift and SYRIZA polls in the spotlight

The expulsion of former prime minister Antonis Samaras from the ruling New Democracy party, and its potential impact on the government, is the main issue dominating the political agenda this week.

The Prime Minister's Office announced over the weekend that Samaras had been expelled from the party after he openly accused the government of pursuing a policy of appeasement toward Turkey. Samaras also called on Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to dismiss Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis for allegedly yielding to Turkish demands in the ongoing talks between Athens and Ankara.

Mitsotakis and Samaras have never had an easy relationship, with the latter often expressing dissatisfaction or disagreement with government policies. However, the hardline politician, who served as prime minister from 2012 to 2015, has become more vocal in his criticism in recent months,...