Former Greek PM Expelled from New Democracy Over Government Criticism
Samaras claims ‘arrogant’ Mitsotakis lost nerve and is out of touch with party base
Welcome to this week's edition of the Planetwonk Experiences newsletter. We are thrilled to bring you a handpicked selection of engaging stories and updates.
Former Greek PM Expelled from New Democracy Over Government Criticism
Former Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras has been expelled from the ruling New Democracy party after persistent criticism of government policies. A prominent hardline nationalist, Samaras opposed Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis' approach to negotiations with Turkey and denounced the government's stance on issues such as same-sex marriage, calling it "woke." His expulsion follows an interview in which he called for the removal of Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis, accusing him of mishandling Greece’s foreign policy.
This is not the first time Samaras has clashed with the Mitsotakis family; he was involved in the downfall of Mitsotakis' father’s government in the 1990s. Despite the controversy surrounding Samaras' departure, the New Democracy party maintains its majority, asserting that the country's political stability remains intact.
Greece's Strategic Diplomacy with the U.S. Amid Turkish Tensions
Despite the close ties between Turkish President Erdogan and former U.S. President Trump, Greece has successfully navigated its foreign policy interests throughout Trump's first term, thanks to strong Greek-American relations. Key figures such as former U.S. Ambassador to Greece Geoffrey Pyatt, as well as Greek-American lobbyists, have played a pivotal role in fostering these ties.
Greek officials maintained productive relationships with influential figures in U.S. politics, including former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Senator Marco Rubio, and House Speaker Mike Johnson. This bipartisan support in Congress, alongside strategic diplomacy, allowed Greece to weather tensions with Turkey, particularly in the Eastern Mediterranean and migration. As Athens looks to the future, strengthening defense and security relations with Republican allies is crucial for the second Trump administration.
Revelations from Former SYRIZA Officials on Greece’s 2015 Financial Crisis
In a series of interviews, former officials from the SYRIZA-ANEL government shared new insights into Greece’s financial crisis in 2015, a pivotal moment when the country teetered on the brink of exiting the eurozone. Dimitris Papadimoulis, Nikos Voutsis, Giorgos Chouliarakis, and Bank of Greece Governor Yiannis Stournaras shed light on the government's internal divisions and lack of clear strategy during the crisis.
One of the most controversial decisions was the appointment of Yanis Varoufakis as Finance Minister. Many in the government believed he was not equipped to handle the role, and his efforts to secure funding from Russia and China failed to materialize. As talks with European lenders broke down, Greece faced the very real possibility of bankruptcy. Capital controls were eventually imposed, and the government was left to navigate the financial disaster with internal strife and poor decisions.
Athens Marks the 51st Anniversary of the Polytechnic Uprising
Athens recently commemorated the 51st anniversary of the 1973 Polytechnic Uprising, a historic student revolt against Greece's military dictatorship. Despite rainy weather, thousands of citizens, officials, and families gathered at the Polytechnic University to honor the fallen students. The anniversary was marked with heightened security, with more than 5,700 police officers, riot squads, drones, and helicopters deployed across the city.
The gates of the Polytechnic University were closed, and protests took place in various cities, including a traditional march to the U.S. Embassy. Security measures included metro station closures and extensive roadblocks in central Athens to ensure public safety during the events. Protests also spread to other parts of Greece, demonstrating the continued significance of the uprising in the country’s collective memory.
If you enjoyed this week's round-up and would like to access exclusive premium content in the future, please consider pledging a subscription. Don't worry, you won't be charged until we enable payments, and your pledge helps us plan for the future and produce even better content.