Live the speech of Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the 16th Congress of New Democracy
The 16th Ordinary Congress of New Democracy is underway, with the speech of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis opening the proceedings.
News Room
15 May 2026
The 16th Ordinary Congress of the New Democracy is underway, with the speech of the prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, to open the proceedings.
Before the Prime Minister, the chairman of the organizing committee of the 16th Congress, Theodoros Roussopoulos, spoke. Rousopoulos started his speech by sending his wishes for a speedy recovery to George Mylonakis.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis received a disappointing reception upon entering the conference venue and when he took the stage.
Thousands of members of the party as well as many ministers, MPs and ruling party officials were present at the venue.
“This unprecedented welcome is the strongest signal that we are determined to go together for Greece 2030. It is the best answer to those who want us to be deceptively wounded and at the same time the most striking proof of the purpose of this party, founded by Constantine Karamanlis to serve the country.” With this phrase, Kyriakos Mitsotakis began his speech and spoke of “victories, many victories“, which “we achieved together“, stressing that: “I am always next to you, in the first gram. You give me strength“.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis commemorated the first time “at the 10th regular congress”. At that time, he said, “I first told you about the truth agreement“. I talked about lower taxes, better wages, more pensions, an impregnable Greece. It is worth remembering what the images were. Endless locks on shops and houses. Citizens were desperately looking for work, unemployment was at 25%. Young people were fleeing, from a place grey in the face of international scorn. I was saying in 2016 that our Greece deserves a place in the core of Europe,” Kyriakos Mitsotakis said of the 2016 conference. In fact, he expressed himself with a quote from John Fitzgerald Kennedy, “I choose it not because it is easy, but precisely because it is difficult”.
The Prime Minister made special mention of the fall in unemployment, and the taking over the Eurogroup chairmanship by Kyriakos Pierrakakis. In addition, he stressed that “by 2027 the average wage will reach €950“.
Then, he noted the reduction of VAT. “Greece currently has the highest rate of debt reduction in the history of the eurozone,” he stressed, saying that “I remember and at the same time I am angry to see the accuracy that is flanking a national effort. The only solution is tax cuts and permanent pay raises as this government is initiating. These will remain constant, even as inflation recedes.”
“Greece in bankruptcy is, now, at the forefront of growth in Europe,” he stressed.
“We have won the trust, the acceptance of many,” the prime minister continued, “we have brought to us people who have never voted for us before.”
“In 2016, along with Greece, ND changed – it doubled its forces, winning three national elections, two European elections and two local government battles. Most importantly, gaining the trust and acceptance of many, ND managed to become a broad current of progress and resistance to populism. Away from labels and always without arrogance and arrogance, we listen and discuss, we feel and react, we unite and try,” he further stressed.
