A complete surprise or the timing of an announced departure? In any case, the decision of former Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis to withdraw from politics and not be a candidate in the upcoming elections was the political news of the day, overshadowing even the strategically important visit of American Secretary of State Anthony Blinken in Greece.

The decision of Kostas Karamanlis was announced on Tuesday morning, however, a rich backstory had preceded it, which was fully developed the previous evening.

In any case, the movements of the former prime minister were fully known to Megaros Maximos.

On Monday night, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis took the initiative to contact Costas Karamanlis, in order to clarify whether he will run for office or not. The president of New Democracy thought that all this paraphilology about the former prime minister’s intentions was not for the benefit of the pre-election period.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis spoke with Costas Karamanlis, who made it clear that he does not wish to contest the elections. According to information, the role of coordinator was assumed by the government representative, Yiannis Oikonomou.

On the phone, Kostas Karamanlis clarified that he is leaving now that the New Democracy faction looks strong, expressing his certainty that he will win the elections.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis reportedly told Kostas Karamanlis that he wants him to participate in a speech in Thessaloniki, in the region where he was elected all these years. The former prime minister has agreed and it remains to be determined how and when.

As for the headquarters of A’ Thessaloniki, which remains “vacant” with the departure of Kostas Karamanlis, information indicates that it will be filled by Kyriakos Mitsotakis himself.