The image of unity and political rallying that was projected by the 16th Conference of New Democracy was at the centre of the statements of the party’s spokesperson, Alexandra Sdoukou, who sent a message of continuity and stability with a horizon to 2030.

Talking to “SKAI 100.3” radio station, the ND spokeswoman argued that the congress was a broad political call to citizens, with the main goal of completing the plan launched in 2023. At the same time, he stressed the need for political dialogue to be at the level of arguments and not personal attacks.

Alexandra Sduku: The message of unity and the internal party nuances

Referring to the different approaches within the party as to the way of political confrontation, Alexandra Sdoukou made it clear that there is no question of strategic disagreement, but differences in the style in which the opposition’s attacks are responded to.

As she said, “that, in a large party like New Democracy, it is perfectly normal to have different nuances in the way everyone thinks they should respond to the attacks that the party receives. There are people who have been subjected to very harsh personal attacks in recent years, and it is normal that sometimes they react more strongly or more emotionally. But that does not mean that there is any opposition or disagreement on the merits.”

Then the spokeswoman of the NWD stressed that the party will not adopt toxic practices or phenomena of political ecstasy, despite the fact that it is subject to extreme attacks.

“The discussion that took place was never about whether New Democracy should become toxic, start cursing or adopt political juicing. The real debate was another one, how do you respond when you get extreme attacks from the opposition. How do you respond when a discourse full of tension, toxicity and mud comes back?” he noted among other things.

The attack on SYRIZA and the spikes on Tsipras

Alexandra Sdoukou also reported on developments in SYRIZA, on the occasion of the deletion of Pavlos Polakis, launching a strong criticism of the opposition.

“We are watching in live broadcast the disintegration of a party”, he said, while referring to an unprecedented process of disintegration with “an obvious orchestrator, Mr Tsipras”.

She also said: “we see the debasement and humiliation of those who were his deputies, who, without having resigned, are squeezed in the door of the next regime, turning into beggars for a chair. This is not just a process of humiliation that Mr Tsipras has inflicted on his former comrades, but a process of nullifying their political dignity and their ability to have an independent political voice.”

At the same time, he raised questions about the party model that the former prime minister seems to be pursuing, speaking of a “totally arch-centric party, without a trace of real internal democracy”.

Looking ahead to the 2027 elections

New Democracy particularly focused on the government’s strategy ahead of the next national elections, pointing out that the party’s main political weapon will be its credibility.

“New Democracy will enter the next elections with its credibility as its main weapon. The Prime Minister, at our conference, has clearly set this framework with the phrase “we said it, we did it”. It is what we promised in 2023 and we have delivered,” he said.

Referring to the path to the polls in 2027, Alexandra Sdoukou emphasized the unity and coalescence of the party.

“Everyone in the party, as is evident in every congress speech and in the prevailing climate, is ready to fight this battle united. Unity does not mean absolute identification, no one is asking for that in a liberal party”, he noted.

He concluded by sending a message of continuity for the country’s government’s path to 2030, saying: “in the elections to be held in the spring of 2027, we must proceed humbly and down to earth but with determination. We know that we have not done everything perfectly, but no one can deny that we have accomplished important work. There we will ask the citizens for a new self-reliant mandate and a mandate to take Greece to 2030 with a concrete plan in a changing world.”