Samaras requests investigation into being targeted with Predator – Application to the Supreme Court

On Monday morning (6/7), Samaras submitted an application to the Supreme Court Prosecutor requesting a full investigation into his alleged targeting with the spyware Predator.

In the application, Samaras notes that he has repeatedly asked the government publicly for answers on the issue, without receiving any response to date.

According to a morning report by NEWS 24/7, the former Prime Minister appears determined to proceed with the establishment of a new political party and to intensify his attacks on the government, though he is avoiding revealing his plans. He responded, however, to government officials urging him not to act against the New Democracy (ND) party through two videos on social media.

In the videos, Samaras converses with his close associate Nikos Tsioutsias in a relaxed, sarcastic tone, bordering on “trolling.”

He first responds to the claim that he is responsible for ND’s polling numbers: “Majority requires 37%. I told them to do ten things and they did the opposite. That’s why ND went from 40% to 20%,” Samaras comments.

“I told them not to legalize same-sex marriage, not to allow adoption by same-sex couples. Watch national issues. Focus on small and medium enterprises. European funds should go to SMEs, not the few. I spoke about the cost of living. I spoke about scandals. I spoke about justice,” he says, adding, “And suddenly, I’m the one to blame?”

Samaras’ counterattack on Mpakogianni

He also responds to the government argument that if he forms a party, it would justify Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ decision to expel him from ND. “That reminds me of a president of Edessaikos’ arguments,” he remarks sarcastically. He does not, however, directly respond to the Prime Minister, who in his last interview said: “Samaras’ expulsion was, unfortunately, inevitable based on what he said. And, unfortunately, with what he continues to say, he is fully justified.”

In the second video, Samaras addresses the government accusation that he is forming a new party out of personal obstinacy, responding particularly to former minister Dora Bakoyannis, though many government officials attribute this claim to him.

“Do you know how many years have passed since she lost the leadership to me? 17 years, and she still hasn’t recovered. She should first settle things with her brother,” he says ironically to Tsioutsias.

Government response to Samaras’ videos

The two Samaras videos naturally annoyed the government, which continues to treat him with a subtly aggressive approach.

“When I saw Samaras had posted some videos, given the date—eleven years after the divisive referendum and its aftermath—and considering that Samaras was then ND president and opposition leader, I thought he would make a video or post about those days, because it’s good never to forget. Instead, he chose to make a video against the party, against ND,” commented government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis on Blue Sky.

“I do not want to enter into a confrontation with a former ND president and a former prime minister. I believe that, representing the government and the Prime Minister, the government’s duty is to implement policies for the present and future, to improve citizens’ lives, correct mistakes, and not engage in commentary or disputes based on a personal agenda. This does not concern the public particularly,” added Marinakis.

The right-wing gray zone in the polls

The government notes that a small but significant percentage of disillusioned ND voters show interest in Samaras’ soon-to-be-established party.

In a recent Alco poll, 3% of ND voters, 30% of Greek Solution voters, 11% of Victory voters, 8% of Voice of Reason voters, and 26% of Maria Karystianou’s voters responded positively to a new Samaras party. Additionally, 25% of undecided voters said they would “definitely” or “likely” support a Samaras party.

In the latest Marc survey, 12.4% of citizens said they would “definitely” or “likely” vote for a Samaras party (2.9% “definitely yes” and 9.5% “quite likely”). The main voter base for a Samaras party appears to be undecided voters, of whom 4.3% say “definitely yes” and 10.9% “quite likely” when asked if they would vote for a new party under the former Prime Minister. ND currently sees mainly leakage toward undecided voters (12.9% of 2023 voters).

Timing of Samaras’ new party

Samaras is not rushing the new party, believing that announcements should be made as close as possible to the elections and at the most opportune moment—ideally at the worst possible timing for the government.

Unlike most within and outside ND, Samaras does not expect Mitsotakis to call early elections this fall, though he is prepared for the possibility. He believes it more likely that elections will be held in spring 2027.

Not because he considers Mitsotakis truly “institutional,” but because Samaras is confident that by late summer, polling will still be unfavorable for ND.

He is closely monitoring developments in Greek-Turkish relations, and the government’s bill on the “Blue Homeland” may act as a catalyst in the fall. The government believes that if Turkey proceeds with this, particularly threatening to implement it in practice, the “patriotic right” will rally around the government and appreciate the need for political stability.

Samaras positions himself as an alternative to both Mitsotakis and Alexis Tsipras, implying that he could facilitate a coalition government between ND and PASOK, provided both parties change leadership.

Key figures in Samaras’ new party

Before it is clear whether these ambitious plans are realistic, Samaras must staff the new party and convince the public that it is not personalist, i.e., merely a vehicle for his ambitions.

His close team includes Tsioutsias, Chrysanthos Lazaridis, and Kostas Bouras. A key figure in the new party’s planning is Thanasis Skordas, expected to be a candidate in the elections.

Other potential candidates for Samaras’ party include the expelled ND member Marios Salmas, former ND member Ioanna Gelestathi, and Panos Panagiotopoulos, Kostas Markopoulos, Fevronia Patriankou, Christos Zois, Stella Biziou, Akis Gerontopoulos, and Argyris Dinopoulos.

Samaras reportedly dined last Wednesday with three ND MPs (Babis Athanasiou, Theofilos Leontaritis, and Giorgos Karasmanis), raising alarm at Maximos Mansion. The three MPs said their dinner with the former PM aimed to promote unity within ND.

However, the question arises: why would ND MPs who might not be reelected risk joining Samaras’ new party in the elections?

Maximos Mansion, however, states it is not concerned about this possibility. It is closely monitoring Samaras-aligned MPs, especially those elected in marginal constituencies where ND is likely to lose seats based on current polling. Notably, Samaras has indicated that any sitting ND MP wishing to follow him into the new party must resign and vacate their seat, to avoid accusations of defection. Therefore, any ND MPs joining Samaras’ party will do so “at the eleventh hour” before the elections.