Antonis Samaras

The Greek political system is going through challenging times. The fragmentation, in whatever direction it takes place in the ideological spectrum, can only act as an impediment to the country's political stability and smooth governance.

Former minister and current New Democracy MP Dora Bakoyannis has expressed disappointment over the absence of former prime minister Kostas Karamanlis from the ruling party's 50th-anniversary celebration last week. Antonis Samaras, another former prime minister, also skipped the event held at the party's historic headquarters on Rigillis Street.

New Democracy celebrated its 50th anniversary with a street party, as nostalgia dedicated the need to pick up the original torch - as featured in the conservative party's banner - to serve as a comforting reminder of its roots.

Relations between Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his predecessors Antonis Samaras and Kostas Karamanlis, long tense, reached a breaking point Friday.

The leadership race in the socialist PASOK party and its implications for the center-left will dominate this week's political agenda as the party heads into a runoff election next Sunday.

Ruling New Democracy celebrated its 50th anniversary on Friday on a day that was supposed to symbolize unity but was marred by the conspicuous absence of two former prime ministers, Kostas Karamanlis and Antonis Samaras. 

New Democracy "neither looks left, nor right, but straight ahead," Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis told a rally marking the party's 50th anniversary outside its historical headquarters on Rigillis Street in Athens on Friday night that was marked by the notable absences of two former leaders.

“Today is dedicated to all New Democrats – we honor both those present and those absent. The gift New Democracy asks of us on its birthday is to build the future even faster.”

New Democracy returns to its historic headquarters on Rigillis Street to mark 50 years of existence.

In an interview with Mega on Friday afternoon, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis discussed the “internal opposition,” the 50th anniversary of the founding of New Democracy, and the government’s priorities for the next three years. During the Live News program with Nikos Evangelatos, Mr.

The 50th anniversary of New Democracy’s founding by Konstantinos Karamanlis is being celebrated today, with the party returning to its historic headquarters on Rigillis Street. According to protothema.gr, former Prime Ministers Kostas Karamanlis and Antonis Samaras will be absent from this “unity gathering.”