Political parties across the country’s ideological spectrum on Friday dismissed the launch of a new political movement by Maria Karystianou, with officials questioning its program, rhetoric and long-term viability.
The newly formed Hope for Democracy party was criticized by government and opposition figures alike, who described it as lacking a coherent policy platform and relying instead on populist and anti-system rhetoric.
Karystianou, a doctor whose daughter died in Greece’s worst train crash in 2023, launched the party on Thursday as she seeks to harness widespread frustration against Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ government.
Government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis said the initiative reflected a “personal agenda” by its founder, pointing in particular to a slogan used at the party’s founding event: “With you, Maria! Out with the mafia!”
New Democracy spokesperson Alexandra Sdoukou said Karystianou’s speech combined “a general exposition of ideas blended with conspiracy theories, anti-systemism, far-right rhetoric and populism.”
