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There was tension all around and the pressure was very insistent. Most leaders of the center-right political space in Europe could not comprehend the position of New Democracy and its refusal to consent. Many of them did not miss the opportunity to express their discontent with Antonis Samaras, making even public statements at the meeting of the European People's Party.

Indicative of the negative atmosphere of the meeting was the public recognition of the leader of the main opposition party in Greece that most of the leaders of the center-right parties defended their positions and stated that the Greek people will "judge" all of them.

Despite the unprecedented pressure to change his position and agree to the rescue plan for Greece, the leader of New Democracy continued to adhere to his current line of behaviour with his eyes focused on the "discontented" and all who are against the measures provided in the mid-term plan.

Antonis Samaras’ decision to defend his position was evident from his statement after the meeting. After confirming that he is subject to intense pressure, he said, "We have heard different opinions. I defended my position. Some understand that we are right. Most of the people continued to adhere to their original position. However, the results are those that define the character of an economic program. The Greek people are to judge the actions of us all."

Antonis Samaras intends to invest in this new "no" throughout the subsequent period, believing on the hand that his rhetoric and strategy are rewarded and on the other, that the polls will show a new increase in the rating of New Democracy soon.

Antonis Samaras himself seemed exhausted after the meeting that lasted about three hours and during which the leaders of the largest center-right parties in Europe like the German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the Prime Minister of Belgium Yves Leterme, the President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy and the European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso attacked him.

 Angela Merkel and Jose Barroso were especially critical in their comments to Antonis Samaras as well as other leaders as the newly elected Prime Minister of Finland and recent Treasury Secretary Jyrki Katainen that adheres to the German position on dealing with the Greek crisis.

The next "hearing" is expected to be held in early July or September, when Antonis Samaras will appear before 265 members of the European People's Party in Strasbourg to explain the position of New Democracy. The Chairman of the Parliamentary Group Joseph Daul, who supports him, invited him at the request of MEPs from Nordic countries to explain his position.
 
The discussion during the yesterday's hearing sparked very quickly. Antonis Samaras said he agrees with the objectives to reduce the government deficit, but insisted on his denial to the political mix, which the Greek government follows and referred especially on tax measures. At one point, he even said that even if he agrees with it the problem would not be solved.

The arguments of Antonis Samaras forced Angela Merkel to ask what he wants. He referred in details to the tax policy as he had described it during the presentation in Zapio over a month ago.

Jose Barroso responded quickly and said that the only way for Greece is that of the Memorandum of economic aid. Only two days ago, he said in the European Parliament that Greece needs national consent rather than a shortsighted party politics.
 
Antonis Samaras described the government measures, which he supports - the deficit reduction and unlocking the foreign debt, the privatization and reforms. At the same time, he tried to convince his political counterparts that he disagrees with the "recipe" of the Memorandum, and that New Democracy will vote in favour of certain articles of the law, which will be introduced.

However, Angela Merkel had endeavored to define the framework of her own actions and those of other leaders before the meeting. She said that it is important for Greece not to support the view that there is another way other than the implementation of the economic policies.

The majority of the European People's Party did not accept the position of New Democracy, although the Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orban supported it and the leader of the Spanish National Party Mariano Rachoi and the Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny were more positive. Many leaders advised Antonis Samaras to change his position and to consent. They said they could not understand how a conservative party does not support an effort to rescue the country.

According to sources, the leaders of New Democracy’s fraternal parties said that if the leader of the Greek opposition does not support the program, it would lead to the collapse of the euro zone. Antonis Samaras insisted that he supports the goals, but expressed the hopelessness of the people of the inefficiencies of the measures.

"Give me the memorandum of Ireland and Portugal and I will agree then," was his answer to the question of Angela Merkel to tell two things he would like.

Antonis Samaras stressed the need of tax reduction and support of Greece by the European Investment Bank and the European Central Bank. Jose Barroso, who was quite reserved to Antonis Samaras, replied that the European Central Bank is exposed to hazards sufficiently.

The Prime Minister of Finland asked him directly with a particularly firm voice what he would do if he would become Prime Minister tomorrow and the Greek politician replied that he would turn from Plan A to Plan B and defended his position.

The attitude to Antonis Samaras became particularly critical especially after the statement of the Euro Group President and Prime Minister of Luxembourg Jean-Claude Juncker, who said in a telling way that he did not attend the meeting of the European People's Party because he had to attend an event to celebrate the national holiday of Luxembourg. However, Mr. Samaras should feel happy that he was not there, because if he was there he would persist Mr. Samaras to change his position.

Angela Merkel was also strict and urged the Greek opposition to assume its responsibilities, and the Belgian Prime Minister Yves Leterme said that they exerted all their influence upon Mr. Samaras, but the decision is in his hands.

At the same time, the Western press is increasingly criticizing the position of Antonis Samaras as far as the mid-term plan is concerned. A report for the online edition of Spiegel magazine entitled "The Persistent Athenian partisan" states that the Greek opposition leader Antonis Samaras is the terror of Europe, which rejects the imposition of restrictive measures and threatened to "stick" the euro against the wall. His conservative colleagues from Germany, France etc. now see a revolutionary act in his face, but he continues to be disobedient.

"The pressure was indescribable," said for To Vima newspaper an assistant of Antonis Samaras, who admitted that the atmosphere was not positive for the Greek opposition leader. However, he added that many heads of state and prime ministers heard their views from the source. The leading group of New Democracy believes that Antonis Samaras defended his position and that he will gradually benefit from his intransigence. The situation around the main opposition party in Greece does not seem to affect them and they underline the phrase of their leader that he Greek people are to judge the actions of us all.