Former prime minister Antonis Samaras took another step towards the launch of a new political party during a visit to Crete on Friday, where he delivered a broadside against his former colleagues in government and argued that a large segment of the center-right electorate is no longer represented.
Speaking at an event in Iraklio, Samaras accused the government of waste, lack of transparency and weakness on national issues, particularly in relations with Turkey. He also criticized what he described as the government’s policy of “calm waters” with Ankara.
He also renewed his opposition to the Prespa Agreement with North Macedonia over the name of the neighboring country.
Samaras said nearly two million voters have abandoned the country’s political parties, creating a growing “representation gap” and room for a new political force.
The former premier made repeated comparisons between former leftist SYRIZA premier Alexis Tsipras and Prime Ministry Kyriakos Mitsotakis, saying that “the current government resembles the SYRIZA government,” as “they are only interested in political image.”
