The former prime minister announced his decision not to run in the upcoming elections Kostas Karamanlis with a brief statement, which—given the public stance he has taken on privacy and wiretapping—had been foreshadowed for some time.
The die has been cast, and Kostas Karamanlis announced that he will not run again in the parliamentary elections with the New Democracy by Kyriakos Mitsotakis, in a statement that, however, makes no mention whatsoever of the prime minister.
«I have decided that the time has come to bring my parliamentary career to a close. Therefore, I will not be a candidate in the upcoming elections. Of course, I have always supported the New Democracy government, the party founded by Konstantinos Karamanlis, which I have served tirelessly for nearly half a century. I remain faithful to its history, ideology, principles, and values. With respect and love for its people and all Greek citizens,», He states, among other things, in his written statement.
It should be noted that for some time now, there have been rumors suggesting that the former prime minister would stay out of the election, with Mr. Karamanlis using this move to signal his divergence from Mitsotakis’s party.
However, according to initial unofficial reactions from the Maximos Mansion, Kyriakos Mitsotakis was aware of Karamanlis’s decision, and the two men reportedly communicated prior to the announcement, at the prime minister’s initiative. In fact, it is reported that the former prime minister will be present during the election campaign.
That remains to be seen. On the first day of March, Kyriakos Mitsotakis will travel to northern Greece again. Will Kostas Karamanlis be by his side?;
Kostas Karamanlis was first elected to Parliament as a New Democracy candidate in 1989, representing the A’ Thessaloniki constituency, and served as prime minister from March 10, 2004 and October 6, 2009, winning two consecutive elections in 2004 and 2007. From 2009 to 2019, he was re-elected without receiving any votes, as a former prime minister.
Mitsotakis's «Thank You»
Shortly after the announcement that he would not be running for office, the prime minister issued a statement thanking Kostas Karamanlis for his service to New Democracy and to the country.
«I would like to thank Kostas Karamanlis for his long-standing contributions to the party and to our country. Personally, in fact, I will never forget that it was under his leadership that I entered politics. I know that New Democracy has always been close to his heart. This is all the more true today, as the turning point in his own long journey coincides with the opening of new and optimistic horizons for our country and our party. That is why I am certain that, wherever he may be, he will continue to devote all his energy to the good of Greece and our great party. And he will be present in the great electoral battle that is about to begin,’, according to the relevant statement by Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Menas Konstantinou
