Kyriakos Mitsotakis may have reiterated that the national elections will be held at the end of the government’s constitutional term, in 2027, his speech to the New Democracy Political Committee had strong pre-election overtones and essentially marked the culmination of the run-up to the polls.The prime minister sought to describe the New Democracy party’s political and ideological stance in contrast to other parties, to set out the key issues of the upcoming elections, to respond to criticism from within the party—and beyond— and to outline his plan for a third term in office for his party.
Essentially, with his address to the party audience, Mr. Mitsotakis sought to define the parameters of the upcoming electoral battle and to convey the message that New Democracy is the only force capable of combining stability, reforms, and security during a period of international turmoil.
A central element of his speech was the strategy of securing a majority. He made it clear that New Democracy will once again seek a strong popular mandate, speaking of a single ballot: “There will be only one Sunday of the great choice. And that one Sunday must bring a majority,” he stated emphatically.
In the same vein, he laid out the key questions that, according to the government, will dominate the public discourse before the citizens: “Progress with a plan, consistency, and hard work, or a return to the experiments for which we once paid dearly?”—that is the fundamental dilemma. At the same time, he argued that in an unstable international environment, only New Democracy can guarantee security and effectiveness, while presenting “stability with results” and “changes with a plan” as the central slogans for the coming period.
Mr. Mitsotakis placed particular emphasis on national issues, which were interpreted as a direct response to the barbs recently voiced by Antonis Samaras. Without naming him, he countered that the government chooses “patriotism of responsibility” rather than easy slogans, emphasizing that New Democracy “never loses either its soul or its rhythm.”
He also pointed out that “the recognition of Greece’s national rights and geopolitical role responds to those who question the patriotism of responsibility and to those who drown themselves in calm waters, forgetting that we always keep them free and blue, through actions, not slogans.”
Toxicity and Populism
He was also sharp in his criticism of the opposition, which he accused of investing in toxicity and populism. He spoke of a “troupe” that does not seek to govern but to politically exhaust the country, while arguing that cheap propaganda and the sowing of confusion are key tools of his political opponents.
“We have a duty to resist this resurgent populism,” he stressed, seeking to highlight the difference between reformist governance and the forces that, according to the Maximos Mansion, represent political protest.
At the same time, the prime minister sought to mobilize the party apparatus, signaling an intensification of political action. His remark that “we are in the home stretch” and that “every day counts” reflects the climate of electoral readiness he seeks to foster within the party.
Mr. Mitsotakis’s remarks, however, also looked ahead to the future. He presented the framework of “Agenda 2030,” a new policy document to be drafted by a special committee led by Kostis Hatzidakis, which he described as a new “Contract of Responsibility” with society.
A key priority, he said, will be to boost disposable income and improve citizens’ daily lives, with the aim of ensuring that the positive trend in macroeconomic indicators translates into tangible benefits for households.
In this context, he referred to the four pillars of “Strong Greece”: a dynamic economy, a prosperous society, a robust defense, and effective diplomacy. He reiterated the three key priorities for the coming period: economic growth, strengthening the country’s deterrent power and international presence, and institutional modernization of the state.
He also issued a call to arms to everyone, even those who have at times been dissatisfied with the party, for the campaign that will lead to the election for the third four-year term.