File photo. [Giorgos Vitsaras/AMNA]
In his first public comments since being expelled from the New Democracy party, former Greek PM Antonis Samaras launched a fierce attack on the government, particularly its foreign policy.
Speaking at a conference on Greek foreign policy, Samaras addressed the reasons behind his expulsion, calling it a premeditated decision. He said, “I believe I spoil the broth of permissiveness, appeasement, and the crisis of the middle class.”
Samaras added that his expulsion reflected a larger shift within ND, describing it as “transforming into the Potami party,” referencing the centrist party that was dissolved in 2019. Samaras also critiqued the government’s foreign policy, describing it as one of appeasement instead of deterrence.
He condemned the government’s handling of Turkish provocations, specifically citing the “Turkey-Libya memorandum” and Turkish activities near the Greek island of Kasos. “We sign ‘Declarations of Friendship’ with Turkey while they violate our rights near Kasos,” he remarked. He further questioned the government’s response to Turkish aggression, asking why Greek officials had allowed Turkish forces to be informed of Greek activities in the area.
He also highlighted concerns over Greece’s soft stance in international diplomacy, claiming that Cyprus was pressured to accept a Turkish diplomat as the OSCE’s secretary-general. “Is it true or not that Greece pressured Cyprus to accept [Feridun] Sinirlioglu’s candidacy?” he asked.