With an eye on the upcoming elections, New Democracy has already begun organizing the next day for its candidate ballots, attempting to combine two objectives: rallying the traditional «blue» base and rejuvenating the party ranks with fresh faces.
At Piraeus Street headquarters, a broad screening of party cadres across the country is underway, with campaign teams seeking candidates capable of providing momentum and high name recognition to ND's electoral lists.
Who is reviewing CVs
At central headquarters, Political Committee Secretary Konstantinos Kyranakis, General Director Yiannis Smyrlis, Organizational Secretary Stelios Kontadakis, and Prime Ministerial Advisor Thanasis Nezis are reviewing CVs, evaluating candidates, and seeking to formulate lists with a strong local footprint.
The direction is clear: more new faces, a stronger presence in the regions, and candidacies capable of mobilizing diverse social groups.
Mitsotakis' inner circle
Already launching their pre-election campaign cycles are Pavlos Marinakis in B1 North Athens, Dimitris Papastergiou in Trikala, Nikos Romanos in B3 South Athens, Nikos Papaioannou and Yiannis Papageorgiou in A Thessaloniki, Eirini Agapidaki in B2 West Athens, and Alexandra Sdoukou in A Athens.
The list of already announced candidacies also includes Tasos Gaitanis in South Athens, Manos Logothetis in Samos, Thanasis Tsiouras in A Thessaloniki, and Dimitris Glymis in Phocis, while Andreas Loverdos is also active in South Athens.
From Skylakakis to... Frangos
Concurrently, Theodoros Skylakakis is reportedly orienting toward an Attica electoral district, most likely the North Athens sector, while Giorgos Stamatis is reportedly «locked» for Corinthia.
In A Thessaloniki, the names under consideration include Nikos Tachiaos, Margaritis Schinas, and Giorgos Floridis, with the parallel possibility open for Schinas to be placed on the nationwide State List.
For the same ticket, the name of General Frangoulis Frangos is also being discussed.
The youth of ONNED
Particular emphasis is placed on the younger generation. ONNED President Orfeas Georgiou has undertaken the search for young candidates, with figures such as Dimitris Fotis in Trikala, Porfylenia Kanellopoulou in Messinia, Apostolos Spanos in Euboea, Nikos Bloskas in Chalkidiki, and Anna Tzika in Pieria on the radar of party leadership.
The younger generation also includes Thanasis Basiakos in Boeotia, Dimitris Karypidis in Serres, and Rallia Tragaki in B Piraeus. In the same constituency, the candidacy of photographer Dimitris Skoulos is reportedly locked, while in A Athens, Omiros Tsapalos and Pola Damianou are expected to run again, alongside actor Thanasis Viskadourakis being considered. For Evros, Elena Sokou is reportedly locked.
Developments across the regions
In regional constituencies, interest is even higher. In Aetolia-Acarnania, prospective candidates include Giorgos Papanastasiou, Thanasis Mavrommatis, Nikos Katsakiouris, and Vasilis Feugas.
In Achaea, Andreas Tsokos remains in contention, alongside Charalampos Bonanos, Fokion Zaimis, and Anna Mastorakou.
In Elis, Nikos Korovesis is interested; in Argolis, discussions surround Zois Stavropoulos and Vasilis Sideris; while in Arta, Christos Tsirogiannis and Vasilis Psathas are being mentioned.
In Corfu, Meropi Ydraiou is under consideration; in Magnesia, Spyridon Karanikolas and Athanasia Kapoula; in Preveza, Nikos Georgakos; in Euboea, Dimitris Diamantopoulos and Giorgos Kelaititis; while in Boeotia, Vasilis Pergalias and Fani Papathoma are being discussed.
In Chios, Kostis Mousouroulis is mentioned, while in Ioannina, scenarios include Filippos Evangelou and Gerasimos Zagoritis.
In Evrytania, the single-seat contest features Nikos Souliotis, Dimitris Iatridis, and Kostas Tsigaridas. In Thesprotia, Christos Rizos is discussed; in Kozani, Tasos Fountoglou and Lysandros Metaxas; and in Messinia, Tasos Skopeteas.
In Trikala, the candidacy of Dimitris Papastergiou reshuffles dynamics, while decisions remain pending for Christos Mich گرakis and Mikelis Chatzigakis. Finally, in Serres, Panagiotis Spyropoulos, Emmanouil Pappas, Dimitris Notas, and Alexandros Chrysafis are in discussions.
What lies behind the ballots
Looking at the names, it is clear that behind this extensive candidate search lies a defined political objective. The overhaul of candidate lists primarily concerns control of the next parliamentary group.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis knows the next electoral contest will differ from past races and wants to ensure that, regardless of the outcome, New Democracy possesses a parliamentary group politically aligned with his decisions.
He seeks a party without strong internal rival poles or uncontrolled centrifugal forces, anchored by a new generation of MPs whose political trajectory is tied directly to himself and the Maximos Mansion.
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