Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ first public reaction to the lackluster performance by his ruling New Democracy (ND) party in Sunday’s European Parliament election – the latter picked up 28.31% – came day later, with the conservative incumbent promising a “change of course” and changes – considered by political analysts as pointing to a reshuffle.
The statements fueled speculation in Athens’ political circles of a pending government reshuffle, as Sunday’s result was deemed as more-or-less a disappointment, given that ND had picked up 33% in the previous European election in May 2019. At the same time, the center-right party maintained a comfortable gap over its nearest rival, leftist SYRIZA, which received 14.92% of the vote.
Media speculation on the day referred to the possibility of a “major reshuffle”, in fact.
One “casualty” of the showing was the cancellation of Mitsotakis’ official visit to Jordan on Friday. Instead, a Cabinet meeting will be convened.
Additionally, the Greek premier was due to meet on Tuesday at the Maximos Mansion government house with the six out of the seven candidates elected as MEPs from ND’s ticket. His spoke by phone with the seventh, jailed Himare-mayor elect Fredi Beleri, who remains incarcerated in an Albanian jail after a conviction for vote-buying – a case sharply criticized as politically motivated and adjudicated via an alleged sham trial.
Mitsotakis is due to give a live television interview on Tuesday, leaving Wednesday and Thursday as the “window” for any potential reshuffle ahead of the now scheduled Cabinet meeting on Friday.
