Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the leadership of the ruling New Democracy party are seeking to use the party’s 16th congress to project unity and readiness for the next electoral battle amid growing political pressure and internal dissatisfaction.
The four-day congress, which opened Friday near Athens International Airport, is expected to focus on the government’s long-term strategy through 2030 rather than revisiting policies implemented during the past seven years in power.
Despite maintaining a lead in opinion polls, New Democracy is no longer considered certain to secure an outright parliamentary majority in the next elections, increasing speculation that Greece could face multiple rounds of voting or eventually a coalition government.
National elections are officially due by July 2027, though political analysts increasingly expect an earlier vote, with some even discussing the possibility of snap elections in 2026.
Mitsotakis is expected to use the congress to energize the party base while containing criticism from conservative factions that accuse him of moving the party too far toward the political center.
Some party members have expressed frustration over Mitsotakis’ inclusion of former socialist figures in senior government positions, arguing that New Democracy risks alienating its traditional right-wing supporters.
At the same time, the prime minister continues to rely heavily on centrist voters who strongly backed him in the 2019 and 2023 elections but have become more distant following scandals involving agricultural subsidies and illegal wiretapping allegations.
According to party officials, the leadership aims to minimize internal dissent during the congress while still giving speaking opportunities to figures who have previously criticized the government, provided their message supports party unity.
One of the most notable aspects of the congress is expected to be the absence of Greece’s surviving former conservative prime ministers.
Relations between Mitsotakis and former Prime Minister Antonis Samaras remain deeply strained after Samaras was expelled from the party in 2024.
His relationship with former Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis is described as cold but stable, with analysts noting that Karamanlis is unlikely to openly challenge the party founded by his uncle, Konstantinos Karamanlis.
Political observers say the congress may serve as an early test of whether Mitsotakis can maintain internal cohesion while balancing pressure from both conservative and centrist voters ahead of a potentially turbulent election cycle.