{"id":5817,"date":"2026-05-16T11:38:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-16T08:38:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.tomanifesto.gr\/?p=5817"},"modified":"2026-05-16T11:38:00","modified_gmt":"2026-05-16T08:38:00","slug":"mitsotakis-is-praised-by-manfred-weber-new-democracy-is-the-greek-pillar-of-europe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/en.tomanifesto.gr\/?p=5817","title":{"rendered":"Mitsotakis is praised by Manfred Weber: New Democracy is the Greek pillar of Europe"},"content":{"rendered":"

A clear political and European message was sent from the 16th Ordinary Congress of the New Democracy by the President of the Manfred Weber, who appeared particularly warm towards Kyriakos Mitsotakis<\/strong> and the course of Greece in recent years.<\/p>\n

Specifically, he described the New Democracy<\/strong> as the country’s strongest political party and spoke of a Greece that has returned dynamically to the European core, leaving behind the period of economic crisis and political uncertainty.<\/p>\n

As he stressed, Greece has become an example for many European countries, both in the economic sector and in energy policy, defence and the management of illegal immigration. <\/p>\n

Weber’s support for Kyriakos Mitsotakis<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Manfred Weber<\/strong> spoke at length about the role of Kyriakos Mitsotakis<\/strong>, noting that during his administration he managed to fully express the principles and political DNA of the European People’s Party<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

He said: “You have led Greece, the birthplace of Socrates, Plato, Aristotle and democracy, back to the heart of Europe, where it belongs!”<\/p>\n

At the same time, he noted that after the difficult years of the crisis and, as he said, of the “dangerous Tsipras government”, Greece was transformed into one of the fastest growing economies in Europe. <\/p>\n

The president of the ELC<\/strong> placed particular emphasis on fiscal stability, job growth and improving wages, arguing that now even countries such as Germany, Austria and the Netherlands can learn from the Greek example.<\/p>\n

Greece as an energy and defence pillar<\/strong><\/h3>\n

In his speech, Manfred Weber<\/strong> paid particular attention to Greece’s geopolitical role, calling it a new strong security pillar in Southeastern Europe.<\/p>\n

He said Greece had managed to become an energy hub, noting that more than half of its electricity is now produced from renewable sources.<\/p>\n

He made a special reference to the proposal of Kyriakos Mitsotakis<\/strong> for a European anti-missile shield, while he also spoke about the country’s contribution to the security of Cyprus.<\/p>\n

In fact, he said, “You know that only a stable Europe will be a secure Europe!”<\/b><\/p>\n

At the same time, he reiterated that Europe must gain stronger defence autonomy, stressing that “the Putins of this world understand only one language: power.” <\/p>\n

Migration and “tough but humane” policy<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Migration was a special topic in his speech, with the president of the ELC<\/strong> praising Greek policy in recent years.<\/p>\n

He spoke of a “tough but humane” policy, noting that illegal arrivals in Greece have fallen significantly since 2019.<\/p>\n

According to <\/strong> Manfred Weber, Greece is now a European example<\/b> in securing the external borders of the European Union, <\/b>while stressing that the new Immigration and Asylum Pact is a product of pressure and strategy of the HELP<\/strong>. <\/p>\n

Manfred Weber: “The EPP is Europe”<\/strong><\/h3>\n

During his remarks, the president of the European People’s Party<\/strong> attacked both the far right and the European centre-left, arguing that the EPLP<\/strong> is today the only political force that can offer solutions to Europe’s major problems.<\/p>\n

He referred to political developments in countries such as Germany, France, Poland and Hungary, noting that populist and extreme voices are gaining strength, while the EPLP<\/strong> remains the dominant force in Europe.<\/p>\n

In fact, he said, “The EPP leads, the EPP is Europe!” Concluding his speech, Manfred Weber<\/strong> sent a message of optimism to the cadres and members of the New Democracy<\/strong>, stressing that Greece now has a strong voice in Europe and that the party of Kyriakos Mitsotakis<\/strong> is the main pro-European pillar of the country<\/p>\n

His full speech<\/h3>\n

Ladies and gentlemen, good morning.<\/p>\n

Dear Kyriakos,<\/p>\n

Dear Nikos,<\/p>\n

Dear Costis,<\/p>\n

Dear Apostolos,<\/p>\n

Dear Theodoros,<\/p>\n

Dear Ministers,<\/p>\n

Dear friends of New Democracy,<\/p>\n

I am very happy to be back here with you in beautiful Athens. <\/p>\n

New Democracy is the strongest party in Greece and the European People’s Party is the strongest party in Europe. <\/p>\n

Dear friends, <\/p>\n

When I came here two years ago you were celebrating the 50th anniversary of Constantine Karamanlis returning to Greece to restore democracy in 1974. Throughout your party’s history, you have always been a champion of Europe and Western values. <\/p>\n

And this is your legacy, dear friends! This is New Democracy, the party of Europe in Greece!<\/p>\n

This year the European People’s Party is also 50 years old! <\/p>\n

Since 1976, the European People’s Party has made a successful history. We have had strong and visionary leaders, but that alone cannot explain our success.<\/p>\n

One can only create a pan-European party, like the European People’s Party, with the right DNA: unlike populists and extremists, we do not stand against something, but we stand for what we believe in.<\/p>\n

We stand for our Christian values that include everyone and exclude no one!<\/p>\n

For a politics that listens to people and solves their problems without lecturing them!<\/p>\n

For a progressive, future-oriented vision that gives hope and confidence, instead of building on fear!<\/p>\n

In favour of a truly united Europe, which sees its richness in its diversity and unity, which is based on the European way of life and does not have two-tier European citizens – we believe, we dream, we fight every day for a united Europe!<\/p>\n

And for a truly united Europe, together with those who are not members of the European Union.<\/p>\n

And dear Kyriakos,<\/p>\n

During your years of governance, you have embodied our DNA and our values!<\/p>\n

You have led Greece, the birthplace of Socrates, Plato, Aristotle and democracy, back to the heart of Europe, where it belongs!<\/p>\n

After the dark years of the economic crisis and the dangerous Tsipras government, you took a stagnant country and turned it into one of the fastest growing economies in Europe!<\/p>\n

Your policies are an example for the whole of Europe:<\/p>\n

You ensured fiscal stability. You have created jobs, prosperity and wage growth again. Today Germany, Austria, the Netherlands can learn from Greece. Greece is the European model for how to return an economy to growth!<\/p>\n

You have turned Greece into an energy hub of South-East Europe. Today, more than half of Greece’s electricity comes from renewable sources: a model of modern technology!<\/p>\n

You have positioned Greece as a pillar of our European security. You showed vision: with the proposal for the European anti-missile shield. You showed action: Greece protected the security of Cyprus with two frigates against Iran. You know that only a stable Europe will be a secure Europe!<\/p>\n

You have shown that Europe can tackle illegal immigration. Thanks to your “tough but humane” immigration policy, illegal arrivals in Greece have fallen dramatically since 2019. Greece is guarding the EU’s external borders: a textbook to be followed throughout Europe!<\/p>\n

Dear Kyriakos, you are young in age, but you are one of the strongest and longest serving EPP leaders in the European Council!<\/p>\n

And the most recent proof of Greek success: the election of Kyriakos Pierrakakis as President of the Eurogroup is a clear indication of the confidence you have restored both in Greece and in Europe and – most importantly – in the Greek citizens! This is EPP leadership at its best! Congratulations!<\/p>\n

Dear friends,<\/p>\n

Dear friends,<\/p>\n

We are doing the same at the European level. The economy, defence and immigration are also priorities for the EPP. The left preaches; the far right spreads fear; the EPP solves problems:<\/p>\n

We support economic growth and competitiveness: thanks to the EPP, the EU is promoting the completion of the Single Market, simplification of legislation, new trade agreements and the creation of quality jobs. Europe is not a place of bans or a shop for more bureaucracy. Only a less bureaucratic Europe will be a successful Europe! Only a Europe that believes in entrepreneurship is a successful Europe! Only a Europe that believes in trade with rules is ready for the future!<\/p>\n

We support a Europe that can defend itself: thanks to the EPP, Europe is working for a real Defence Union. We believe in NATO, we believe in transatlantic friendship. But the Greenland debate, where a NATO ally was challenged, shows us: we need to activate Article 42.7 for the EU’s mutual defence clause. When Cyprus is attacked, Europe is attacked! And the reaction cannot be spontaneous, it must be structured, clear and decisive. Dear Kyriakos, you are leading this project. You know: the Putins of this world understand only one language: power. Only a strong Europe will be a safe Europe!<\/p>\n

We support a Europe that protects its borders and ends illegal immigration: thanks to you and the whole EPP family, there is now a new Pact on Immigration and Asylum and illegal border crossings in Europe have been reduced by 35% from 2024 to 2025. The EPP’s strong position on the Returns Regulation was recently adopted: it is the state authorities who decide who enters Europe, not the smugglers!<\/p>\n

The challenges are great, but we have a passionate, hard-working team to deliver our vision:<\/p>\n

The EPP’s Vice President for Competitiveness, Costis Hatzidakis. Thank you, dear Costis, for your tireless dedication and inspiring vision in promoting our priorities and actions at the party level!<\/p>\n

Our Greek team in the European Parliament, which is doing an excellent job under the leadership of Elisabeth Vozemberg-Vryonidis! Dear Elisa, you connect the national and the European level – and you all know how important subsidiarity is for the EPP! Thank you: Vangelis, Dimitris, George, Freddy, Manolis, Eleonora.<\/p>\n

Dear friends,<\/p>\n

Our Europe is threatened by populists and extremists. Look at the current polls in Germany, in France – where right-wing populist parties or even far-right neo-Nazi parties are gaining strength. Centre-left parties are losing everywhere. In the run-up to the European elections of 2029, our European future is at a critical juncture. We must continue to listen, decide and deliver results – the EPP’s recipe for success. We did it in Greece with Kyriakos and you have changed Greece in these 7 years! We did it in Poland with Donald Tusk! And I remember two years ago, I visited Budapest, I persuaded Peter Magyar to join the EPP. He worked hard and we supported him. And the Tisza party in Hungary won against Viktor Orb\u00e1n. It was a great victory for the EPP! Today we have 12 Prime Ministers, Chancellors or Presidents; the Socialists only three and the Liberals also three! With Ursula von der Leyen we have the President of the Commission and with Roberta Metsola the President of the European Parliament! The EPP leads, the EPP is Europe!<\/p>\n

We know that Europe is not perfect – but for us, for the EPP, Europe is our home. A home that protects our democracy, creates prosperity and ensures that we can live our European way of life. Two millennia of Greek history have taught us that these are the most important values that we must preserve.<\/p>\n

Dear friends, when I look around this room – the mayors, the supporters, the friends – I have no doubt about the strength of the New Democracy – you have the trust of the people. You are the truly pro-European party of Greece! The party of security, economic growth and stability! A strong Europe needs a strong Greece! And New Democracy is the Greek pillar of the strongest party in Europe.<\/p>\n

Dear Kyriakos, thank you for your outstanding leadership for Europe and Greece! You have made Greece a strong voice at the European table.<\/p>\n

Dear friends of the New Democracy, let us not be hesitant, let us speak with optimism: we are the driving force of Europe, we are the true People’s Party of Europe! With us, Greece is back and together in Europe we will have a good future!<\/p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The President of the EPP, Manfred Weber, sent a clear political and European message from the 16th Ordinary Congress of the New Democracy, who …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5818,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5817","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-politics"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/en.tomanifesto.gr\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5817","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/en.tomanifesto.gr\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/en.tomanifesto.gr\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.tomanifesto.gr\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.tomanifesto.gr\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5817"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/en.tomanifesto.gr\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5817\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.tomanifesto.gr\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/5818"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/en.tomanifesto.gr\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5817"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.tomanifesto.gr\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5817"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.tomanifesto.gr\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5817"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}