Greek PM Mitsotakis expels former PM Samaras over Türkiye dialogue dispute

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expelled former Prime Minister Antonis Samaras from the New Democracy (ND) party following disagreements over dialogue with Türkiye.

Samaras had strongly opposed any negotiations with Türkiye, which led to his removal. The expulsion reduced ND’s seats in the 300-member Greek Parliament from 156 to 155.

Samaras criticizes Türkiye dialogue in newspaper interview

Tensions escalated after Samaras published an interview in the “To Vima” newspaper, criticizing the Greek government’s approach to Türkiye. He labeled the ongoing ‘calm waters’ policy, which has been in place for nearly two years, as damaging to Greek interests.

Samaras also called for the dismissal of Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis and suggested nominating another former PM, Kostas Karamanlis, who opposes dialogue with Türkiye, for the upcoming presidential election.

Cut off from the base, he leads a party that looks a bit like New Democracy. I spoke, I spoke and I will speak only about the things that concern Greece. So let us know where I am wrong.

In Greek and Turkish, where just yesterday the responsible director general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs resigned? In the difficulty of the citizens, to cope with the accuracy?

In the woke agenda, which he himself brought to Greece, after Trump’s election he suddenly talks about the tyranny of the minority? Maybe to the Novartis collusion? Or is it because I nominated Kostas Karamanlis as president of the Republic?

I sacrificed everything for the country, even for my health. But no one can force me to sacrifice my conscience. The judge of all of us will be the people and history”

Antonis Samaras

Greek government responds, citing party discipline

Greek government’s spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis stated that Samaras’ comments amounted to a direct challenge to the government’s foreign policy and party values.

“His remarks crossed the line,” Marinakis said, confirming Samaras’ expulsion for violating party discipline. He dismissed Samaras’ call for dismissals within the government as “unacceptable and untrue.”

Political implications, resignations

The discharge of Samaras has sparked debate in Athens over whether this move could lead to a broader political crisis. Meanwhile, the resignation of Greek Ambassador Roussos Koundouros, a key figure in the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs since he was the First General Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, added to the controversy.

Koundouros cited the exclusion of his recommendations from recent Greece-Türkiye talks as a reason for his departure, claiming that critical issues in Greek-Turkish and EU-Türkiye relations were not adequately addressed.

PM Mitsotakis defends decision

Prime Minister Mitsotakis defended his actions, emphasizing that party discipline and national interests take precedence. He accused Samaras of attempting to turn New Democracy into a small opposition faction, asserting that the party would continue to be governed with stability.