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New shock in New Democracy has been caused by Antonis Samaras' decision yesterday to disaffiliate the deputy Sotiris Hatzigakis. The reason for this was the deputy’s statement that some right-wing elements in the guise of people’s right are trying to change the ideological identity of New Democracy.

The leader’s act is particularly important because he and the disaffiliated Sotiris Hadzidakis are considered ideological offspring of the former party leader Evangelos Averoff. The deputy's disaffiliation, however, is a stern warning to the inside of the party and especially to those who have declared themselves in support of more moderate political tactics.

Recently, Antonis Samaras has been subject to pressure from representatives of the so-called "people's right", especially since he has approved the establishment of the interim Greek cabinet. Sotiris Hadzidakis’ disaffiliation is his message to the group of "five", involving Evangelos Andonaros, Kostis Hatzigaki, Miltiadis Varvitsiotis, Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Aris Spiliotopoulos. His second objective has been to persuade those who express doubts about his position that he has not turned away from the "hard line".

It had started early Monday, after Sotiris Hadzigakis’ statement, "I would like to express my serious discrepancy with some far-right "drops", trying to change the face of New Democracy under the cover of the people’s right. New Democracy is a large, European and civil party in which there are many trends: the people’s right, liberal right and of course, the political centre."

There was no reaction from Antonis Samaras’ central office because he was expected to speak to the parliamentary group of the "blue". The meeting went quietly, but soon afterwards the former minister’s disaffiliation had been prompted. The advisers argued that Antonis Samaras should take advantage of the convening of the parliamentary group and use Sotiris Hatzigakis as an example for all those who insist on substantial support to the new cabinet, as well as for the supporters of moderate policy.

Finally, they managed to convince Antonis Samaras, who shortly before 6.00 pm ordered the following message to be issued, "The President of New Democracy, Mr. Antonis Samaras, has informed the President of Parliament, Filippos Petsalnikos, in a letter, that he has excluded the deputy Sotiris Hatzigakis from the parliamentary group. The statements of Mr. Hatzigakis for the presence of "far-right drops" in New Democracy are a serious offence to the party representatives. A party historically devoted to democratic ideals. His statement on the presence of "trends" in New Democracy is also aimed directly against the party statute." The message ends adding, "In a letter to the chairman of the ethics committee of the party, Mr. Tragakis, Antonis Samaras has raised the question of Mr. Hatzigakis’ final exclusion as a member of New Democracy." A while ago, it became clear that the deputy has already been struck off the party register.

This has caused confusion in the party and many lawmakers opposed the decision of Antonis Samaras. Members of the group of "five" pointed out that "it is not acceptable that the leader of the party excludes the oldest member, who said nothing wrong."

Sotiris Hatzigakis himself regretted the situation in which the party finds itself under the guidance of its leader today. "The New Democracy of Mr. Samaras, from a very large party with many trends, has become a pathetic relic of the type Political Spring."

The disaffiliated Sotiris Hatzigakis was the oldest active member of New Democracy. He entered Parliament for the first time in 1974 and took his first lessons in politics from the leader at that time, Evangelos Averoff, with whom he had family ties. He was a member of almost all governments of New Democracy. In the last period, and especially after the withdrawal of Kostas Karamanlis from the party leadership, Sotiris Hatzigakis had often distinguished himself from the official "line" of New Democracy. This position had caused the discontent of Antonis Samaras. However, he had not made the decisive step towards disaffiliation because of fears that it might cause introversion in the party. Not least, the fact that the action was directed at a "classmate" from the same "political school" had prevented him from taking this step.

Sotiris Hatzigakis had, at the outset, supported a more moderate policy and he was an early advocate for the establishment of a national unity government in New Democracy. He was a supporter of the political centre and of Kostas Karamanlis.

In March, Sotiris Hatzigakis accused some of the collaborators of Antonis Samaras of not behaving like men. He made the specific statement in response to attacks on Kostas Karamanlis from inside the party. "They are wrong to underestimate him. And in our own party, where some "sissies" create a bad climate, not only against the former prime minister, but also to recognized party members who have done a lot in recent years."

Recently, and long before Antonis Samaras decided to support the cabinet of Lucas Papademos, Sotiris Hatzigakis had stressed the need to form a government of national unity. In his public statement, he actually tried to engage the leadership of New Democracy to take this decision.