The 16th Summit of the New Democracy, with the president of the Organizing Committee, Theodoros Roussopoulos, giving the signal of the next day for the party and the country’s course until 2030.
Theodoros Roussopoulos made it clear that the congress was not a typical party process, but a substantial political debate on the future of Greece, focusing on the major challenges and goals for the next period.
At the same time, he thanked the members of the organizing committee and the executives who contributed to the preparation of the congress, making special reference to Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis for the trust he showed in him by entrusting him with the chairmanship of the committee.
“End of introspection”
Moving on to the political substance of the conference, the chairman of the Organising Committee noted that during the three-day conference, ideas, interventions, proposals and criticisms dominated, stressing that the party is now turning its attention to the next electoral battle.
As he said, “the introspection ends” and a new cycle opens with the main goal of “a better Greece of tomorrow and the new springboard which is the next elections”.
In a quote with a clear intra-party message, he invoked the well-known saying of Winston Churchill, saying: “Our adversaries are opposite and our enemies within our own party. Although he was a great personality, let us try to refute him.”
Theodoros Roussopoulos stressed that all the cadres who have served New Democracy over the years have contributed to the party, noting that those who continue the battle must look ahead “by shaking hands with each other”.
He even warned that without unity and collective effort “the jersey will become an empty shirt”, leaving clear points for personal strategies and phenomena of introversion.
The seven achievements of the Mitsotakis government
In his speech, the chairman of the Organising Committee also took stock of the seven years of the New Democracy government, presenting seven key achievements of the Mitsotakis administration.
The first point, he said, was Greece’s return “from the era of doubt to the era of credibility”, with a particular emphasis on fiscal stability and the recovery of investment grade.
He also made special reference to the strengthening of the Armed Forces and the country’s deterrent power, arguing that Greece is stronger today in a period of intense geopolitical turmoil.
Theodoros Roussopoulos also referred to the management of successive crises, from the pandemic and the energy crisis to international conflicts, noting that the country has managed to maintain its social and political cohesion.
At the same time, he spoke about the digital transformation of the state, the strengthening of Greece’s international prestige and the restoration of national self-confidence, which he described as perhaps the most important success of the last seven years.
The objectives for the next day
Referring to the priorities for the next period, the President of the Organizing Committee emphasized growth through investment, further strengthening of the middle class and support for the family and young people.
He also made special reference to the creation of a more efficient and fully digital state, as well as the formation of a more modern and competitive Education.
On national issues, Theodoros Roussopoulos stressed the need to maintain political stability in an international environment of increased tensions and uncertainty, noting that what is needed is a Greece that will give young people reasons to stay and create in their country.
The symbolism of chess and the message for the elections
Concluding his speech, he used the symbolism of chess to describe the new political period that is opening up for the New Democracy.
He said each game starts with 16 pieces, linking this number to the 16th Congress of the party and noting that the New Democracy is now starting “a new and perhaps more challenging game.”
Citing the world chess champion Gary Kasparov, he argued that in politics, the winner is the one who has a plan, strategy and patience, concluding that these characteristics “Kyriakos Mitsotakis and New Democracy have them.
