The celebration of the New Democracy party's 50th anniversary was held at the party's historical headquarters on Rigillis Street in Athens, reaching its peak with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis' address on Friday night.
"In a spacious party sometimes not everyone will agree, obviously, on everything, but many will agree with much, especially on issues critical to our homeland," Mitsotakis said.
In extensive references to party founder and statesman Constantine Karamanlis, Mitsotakis described the internationally known politician as a realist and antipopulist. Karamanlis acted without trying to flatter public opinion, and consistently chose to work with highly qualified individuals, the premier said. Referring indirectly to party's efforts to expand in recent years, Mitsotakis said that "life has proven that the farther the ND branches reach, the more they prove the power of its roots. This is the best response to the few who want a circumscribed party, closed, and in the end, defeatist."
The prime minister underlined that during his term in office, New Democracy prevailed in all battles, and even received a higher percentage than previous ones. In relation to the direction of the party, Mitsotakis noted that "it neither looks left, nor right, but straight ahead."
He also referred to Greece's current standing at the forefront of development in the European Union, while the Greece's Road Map for 2027 includes at its core a country with a 3% rate of development, a 2% rate of inflation, an 8% rate of unemployment, with an average wage of 1,500 euros, and a basic wage of 950 euros.
The choice of holding the party's 50th anniversary celebration at the historical offices of New Democracy on Rigillis Street was also especially referred to by the premier, who said the location was not accidental. "At these offices, happy and sad moments of party life unfolded; however, these moments never found New Democracy members submissive or defeated. New Democracy managed to transform every experience into a new start, and that is why it has proven to be the most resilient after the restoration of democracy," Mitsotakis said, addressing all simple party members, while he also referred to the basic tenets of the party's founding declaration.
PM Mitsotakis mentioned by name every party leader in New Democracy, and, turning to party supporters, he urged them "to honor all presidents of New Democracy, present and absent."