In the history of the New Democracy, the Conferences of the party have always been a forum for expressing opinions and confirming the constant communication with the cadres and the grassroots.
But not only that. Our Conferences follow the times and are organised around themes that aim to analyse the new facts each time in an organised way, i.e. themes where speakers and cadres try to respond to contemporary challenges.
The Grand Liberal Party, a popular party totally committed to defending democratic principles, is a party that is parliamentary par excellence. That is, we are traditionally committed to the representative system and to the enrichment of democratic dialogue. This is a fundamental principle that is not abandoned even when our party is in government.
For this reason, the party president, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, immediately after his election as party leader, pledged that he would resort to congressional dialogue every year in order for our party to be in constant communication with its cadres and base and to co-shape our course.
The foundations were laid by our founder, Constantine Karamanlis, who, after the restoration of democracy, devoted himself for two years to the restoration of democratic institutions.
The path to the restoration and consolidation of democracy was not an easy one. Karamanlis put his stamp on everything: From the first decisions to amnesty all political offences, return of citizenship to those who had been deprived of it and cancellation of all restrictions on free movement, to the free operation of all parties, free movement of ideas, freedom of speech.
The first measures for the growth and recovery of the economy, the provisions for farmers, youth, free trade unions. The first major decisions on national issues. At that time the foundations of a rule of law and a public administration in the service of the citizen and the Common Good were also laid.
First the homeland, then the party that is – unlike the parties of Left that put (and continue to put) party survival and power as the first priority.
It is no coincidence that the 1st Congress of New Democracy, the Congress of Halkidiki, was organized in 1979, after the precongress of 1976, when the foundations for the organization of the party were laid. From the National Lord himself who stated: “Parties in order to fulfill their mission must: First, they must have a clear ideology and a firm orientation. Secondly, they must be possessed by a high sense of responsibility. Thirdly, they must be democratically organized.”
And when the wounds of the dictatorial past had been healed, in April 1979, the 1st Ordinary Congress was organized, the first Greek party to be attended by delegates elected by the members, at which time the ideological identity of the party was approved: Party of radical liberalism that recognizes the freedom of the market with regulatory, however, state intervention for reasons of social justice.”
Even then there were disagreements – everyone remembers the “Volvi Movement” But never were our “basic principles” ever questioned.
Because thanks to Karamanlis, the road to normality became a lesson in democracy in practice.
With the intervention of an extraordinary Congress in June 1981, and after the electoral defeat of 1981, the 2nd Congress followed in February 1986, now led by Constantine Mitsotakis. Even then, the party had split, with the departure of Kostis Stephanopoulos, who founded DIANA and was followed by a dozen MPs.
But also the 3rd Congress, in 1994, after the new electoral defeat and led by Miliadis Evert, was organized in the shadow of another split, when Antonis Samaras founded the Political Spring.
This was followed by the 4th Congress, in March 1997, when for the first time a leader was elected by the delegates – Kostas Karamanlis.
A year later, Karamanlis expelled Giorgos Souflias and several executives for not being disciplined on the bill on the operation of the public utilities.
In April 2001, after the 2000 election defeat at the 5th Congress, George Souflias returned with Karamanlis welcoming him with the famous phrase “George, welcome home!”
This was followed by the 6th Congress (2004) – with the delegates electing the members of the Central Committee for the first time – the 7th Congress (2007), the 8th Congress (June 2010) – and after the previous extraordinary Congress had decided to elect a leader from the grassroots with Anthony Samaras being the first elected, but also in the shadow of the deletion of Dora Bakoyannis.
Two years later Dora returned to New Democracy, followed by the 9th Congress (2013) led by Antonis Samaras.
Then the 10th (2016), the 11th (2017), the 12th (2018), the 13th (2019), the 14th (2022 as the pandemic intervened), the 15th (2024) and this year the 16th. All led by Kyriakos Mitsotakis – the last four with Mitsotakis as prime minister.
The absence from the 16th Congress of the two former prime ministers is at the heart of the discussions. However, there have been few unproductive moments in the past. Nevertheless, New Democracy stood upright because it is backed by a large social majority. This is shown by its ratings and the fact that despite the storms of the last decade and the collapse or dissolution of parties, it remains the only stable one for the country.
The foundations laid by its founder have been very strong. And it is a wonder how there are those who do not realize it.
