The members of New Democracy are the only ones entitled to vote in the party leader elections, as decided at a meeting of the party’s Central Committee. The extraordinary congress of the party will take place on November 7 and 8, and the elections for a new leader will most likely be conducted on November 29.
The vast argument about who has the right to choose the party’s new leader- the members only, or the party’s supporters- ended with somewhat a compromise. For the past few weeks, the topic was discussed publicly and in private meetings before the formation of two major opinions. Despite her official announcement in support of any of the two procedures that will be selected at the party’s extraordinary congress, Dora Backoyanni, the front runner, is believed to insist on inside elections. The former health minister Dimitris Avramopoulos on the other hand, is favoring elections including both members and followers. The mayor of Thessaloniki Panaiotis Psomiadis, the least favored candidate, also supported his position.
The election procedure was the main topic of discussion during the Central Committee meeting. The former Prime Minister, Kostas Karamanlis, who also participated in the meeting, made two statements in support of the inside elections. Finally, Dimitris Avramopoulos came up with a solution of compromise- besides the current party members, everyone that signs up as a member up to and including the day of elections cast their votes. The solution was accepted by the committee.
The committee has also decided to hold an extraordinary meeting on November 7 and 8 in Athens, in which to adopt the new procedure and analyze the reasons for New Democracy’s downfall at the October elections. The four runners for the leader positions- Dora Backoyanni, Andonis Samaras, Dimitris Avramopoulos and Panaiotis Psomiadis- are expected to introduce their political platforms, as well.
You can share your preferences for New Democracy’s future leader in GRREporter’s survey.
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