New Democracy leadership election, 2015–16

New Democracy leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced Sunday that Evangelos Meimarakis, his former rival for the leadership, will lead the party's effort in the elections to the European Parliament, in May 2019.

Mitsotakis had narrowly defeated Meimarakis for the top party post in January 2016.

Mitsotakis' announcement came on the last day of New Democracy's 12th Congress.

Former defense minister Vangelis Meimarakis, 64, who also served as temporary leader of New Democracy in 2015, will head the conservative ballot in the elections for European Parliament in May.

His candidacy was confirmed on Wednesday after Meimarakis met with New Democracy chief Kyriakos Mitsotakis the previous evening.

Newly elected president of New Democracy Kyriakos Mitsotakis appointed Adonis Georgiadis and Kostis Chatzidakis new vice presidents of the party.

Mr. Mitsotakis appointed MP Kostis Chatzidakis responsible for drafting the government program of the party and MP Adonis Georgiadis  responsible for the coordination of party’s parliamentary work, says ND’s statement.

The new president of main opposition party New Democracy, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, will present on Thursday noon to party’s parliamentary group his plan for the reorganization of the party.

Newly elected New Democracy leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Monday sent a message of renewal during the hand-over ceremony at the party offices.

Mitsotakis thanked Ioannis Plakiotakis, who served as interim leader, for his work adding that the party has deep roots in the society.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis was elected president of main opposition New Democracy in runoff elections on Sunday defeating Vangelis Meimarakis.

Despite all the predictions, Mr. Mitsotakis managed to bring together New Democracy members by showing them that he wants to turn over a new leaf in party’s history and achieved a clear win against Vangelis Meimarakis.

In his brief first statement as new president of the main opposition party New Democracy Kyriakos Mitsotakis said that today is a great and historic day for New Democracy.

As he explained, voters gave a clear mandate to proceed to party’s renewal, while the party continues to be united. “Together we move forward leaving behind what divides us,” he said.

Polling stations closed at 19:00 on Sunday in the second round of the elections for a new leader of New Democracy party.

An ND announcement said it had asked all polling stations to close and end voting, except in cases were voters were still inside the polling station.

The voting centers for the election of the new leader of the main opposition New Democracy party have now closed, while some extra time is given to centers where there are still people waiting to cast their vote.

Candidate Vangelis Meimarakis appeared optimistic about the election results and voters’ participation. According to information, about 40,000 voters have already cast their vote.

After casting his vote, Mr. Meimarakis said “Today New Democracy celebrates” stressing that there are neither winners nor losers, but today wins democracy within New Democracy party.