By Penelope Galliou

In the midst of shadows that may be caused by the possible absence of the two former prime ministers, Costas Karamanlis and Antonis Samarasthe ND faction is moving today in a celebratory rhythm ahead of the anniversary event tonight at the historic building at 18 Rigillis Street, in a kind of big birthday “blue party”. Government officials, parliamentarians, politicians, members and friends of the ND and all those who starred in the foreground or in the background of the great political journey of the blue faction will go to Rigillis, as stated in the anniversary spot and the poster, which invite the public to attend the event “50 years of New Democracy, 50 years of endless struggles for the values ​​and ideology of the great popular faction. We will all be there.” A “street party”, as the organizers described it, hoping that it will also be an opportunity to re-approach the members and executives of the party, with the historical headquarters of the faction, the Rigillis Street building, to awaken memories and act as a cohesive force .

So far, however, the two former prime ministers are waiting despite the personal invitation addressed to them by Kyriakos Mitsotakiscalling them on the phone, and it is very likely – barring the unexpected – that Antonis Samaras will not attend the party’s 50th anniversary, while Kostas Karamanlis appears to be thinking about it, until the last moment.

Any absences, whether confirmed or not, from the final choice of the two former ND presidents, are estimated to have already sent a resounding message of keeping their distance, towards Maximos Palace but also personally to the Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, maintaining the “Cold War” climate, which intensified especially after the European elections and their sharp positions at an event at the War Museum, last June.

And it is possible that Megaros Maximos appreciates that “the upper hand” has Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who hastened to break the ice between the three leaders of the blue faction and invited them personally “as befits officials of the caliber of the two former prime ministers” – as a government source commented – however, what is troubling is the “coordination” of the movements of Mr. Karamanlis and Mr. Samaras, reflecting a clear differentiation of the party’s politics and personality, within the ND by top executives.

The climate in K.O. of the SW

To the awkward atmosphere that, even if it is not confirmed, both former prime ministers decide, at least at the last moment, to formally attend the anniversary event, is added the evolving atmosphere within the ND parliamentary group. The question of the eight blue-collar MPs who request an extension of the exemption from participation in pharmaceutical expenses for low pensioners, is another “bell” for the government, after the previous question from eleven, other neo-democratic MPs, about the red loans. Much more when most of them are close to the two former prime ministers.

In the government, however, they deny that there is an internal party issue, characterizing the contrary claims as “funny”, and remind that “the same MPs who are asking, support the government in all bills and do their job very well”. “No, it is not an intra-party opposition. They are within their duties. And for the secretary of the ND parliamentary group, Stavros Kalafati, there is no question, observing that “since 2019, over 9,000 questions have been submitted by ND MPs to ND Ministers. The Prime Minister himself urges the MPs to carry out their duties, to ask questions, to be informed”.

In this climate, interest is now also focused on any absences of ND MPs from tonight’s event in Rigillis, given that there are MPs who are thinking about it or have already declared that they will not attend, such as MP Rodopis of the ND who informed his absence with spikes. “One of the basic values ​​of Constantinos Karamanlis was decentralization, and for this I prioritize my presence at the regional development conference of North Macedonia and Thrace, higher than being at the “street party” of Rigillis, even though emotionally I belong to those who built Rigillis, did not come later” said the deputy.