The public clash between Antonis Samaras and Kyriakos Mitsotakis is transitioning into a new phase as the former Prime Minister makes clear that this is a battle over the political identity of the Greek Right.
The former prime minister's response to Mitsotakis's remark alleging he possesses the «know-how» to damage the faction is not simply another episode of personal friction. Politically, it functions as a declaration of definitive rupture.
Samaras is cutting the remaining bridges of communication with Maximos Mansion, seeking to reposition himself as the voice of the traditional and ideological grassroots of the Center-Right.
His phrase «this is not the faction, this is the Mitsotakis party» synthesizes his entire strategic orientation: the faction must return to its ideological roots.
The former prime minister is no longer merely criticizing executive policies. He is directly disputing the identification of historical New Democracy with current party leadership, seeking to detach the party base from the model of power that, in his view, Kyriakos Mitsotakis has constructed.
His invocation of the 2009 internal party election is deliberate.
Samaras recalls that his political mandate originated from hundreds of thousands of grassroots voters.
Through this, he attempts to transform the dispute from an interpersonal conflict between two politicians into an existential struggle over the party's core identity.
— Σαμαράς Αντώνης (@samaras_antonis) September 6, 2026
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The second pillar of his intervention is even harsher.
Samaras blames the administration for high living costs, systemic pressure on the middle class, grievances across the provinces and the primary sector, while integrating into his critique controversies surrounding OPEKEPE, the Tempi rail disaster, and wiretapping surveillance.
These represent his own charges and political assessments, yet collectively they assemble a coherent narrative: that the Mitsotakis government has severed ties with both the social and ideological foundations of New Democracy.
Here lies the core political stake.
Samaras appears to address conservative voters, small and medium enterprises, farmers, independent professionals, and traditional party loyalists who consider that current ND policies have drifted from long-standing principles.
Immigration, national defense, foreign policy, family policy, social questions, the middle class, and regional development constitute the pillars of this drive toward foundational roots.
The divide widens further as Mitsotakis himself publicly shuts the door to prospective reconciliation.
The clash transcends historical scores: it concerns the future orientation of the Greek Right.
The defining question is whether this ideological divergence will translate into an independent political party. Samaras has left open his future steps, keeping speculation regarding a new political vehicle alive.
In any case, one reality is evident: Samaras is no longer seeking reintegration into the New Democracy of Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
He is asserting a return to original party roots, confronting not the historic party itself, but what he designates as the «Mitsotakis party».
Mitsotakis jabs at TIF ignite Samaras counterattack as ND rules out cooperation
Urging him to «think more carefully about his legacy» and refrain this time from employing his know-how on «how to do harm to the faction», Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis addressed Antonis Samaras earlier during the traditional press conference at the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF), when questioned regarding potential cooperation if the former premier launches an independent party.
Mitsotakis outlined three hypothetical premises: «if Mr. Samaras forms a party, if it enters Parliament, and if we lack an absolute majority».
The Prime Minister emphasized that he will not entertain that scenario, noting that the Messenian politician directly disputes the core of the country's defense and foreign policy. «I see no room for common ground with Mr. Samaras», he stated.
«He served the country as prime minister, the faction welcomed him back, honored him», Mitsotakis noted, concluding:
«I want to believe he will reflect carefully on his legacy; he possesses considerable know-how in how to harm the faction.
I hope this time he does not put it to use».
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