Ex-PM Samaras expelled from Ruling ND Party

Former prime minister Antonis Samaras was expelled from the ruling New Democracy (ND) party on Saturday, hours after a portion of his interview with the Sunday edition of “To Vima” was released, and where he demanded the firing of Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis over what he called “appeasement” in the face of Turkish provocations.

The expulsion was announced by government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis, who cited the statements in the “To Vima” interview, which will be published in its entirety on Sunday, Nov. 17. The spokesman characteristically noted that Samaras had “himself chosen to exit” the party.

In a statement, Pavlos Marinakis said:

“As we’ve said many times before, former prime ministers retain a special privilege to express their views and concerns on policy matters from time to time. However, Mr. Samaras, during his last interview didn’t express any views. He did express his total disagreement with current government policy, in its entirety.

“Moreover, with an inappropriate and provocative manner, he has adopted extreme lies, distorting statements by the foreign minister, which have been repeatedly and thoroughly clarified. He even went so far as to claim that the Greek Prime Minister and the President of the Republic of Cyprus were ‘cuddling up’ to the President of Turkey and the Prime Minister of Albania.

“Finally, the untimely debate over which he has insisted, regarding (next year’s) election (by Parliament) of the President of the Republic is an insult to the person and the institution of the head of state. All of the aforementioned can neither be tolerated nor accepted. Society has left behind, several years now, practices of political ‘stewardship’ and attitudes characterized by partisan ‘grudges’…those who envision a diminished New Democracy back to the level 18% (of the popular vote), should consider that with Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ policy New Democracy has won three general elections to date with percentages ranging at 40%.

“Therefore, Mr. Samaras, with his interview today, has placed himself, for the second time since 1993, out of the New Democracy. After all, this is what he sought. This time, however, history will not repeat itself. The ruling majority is steadily continuing on its course without Mr. Samaras. No one has the right to play games with the country’s stability amid these troubled times.”

Source: tovima.com