Infighting in New Democracy

A civil war has broken out in New Democracy party for the candidacy  for the Mayorship of the City of Athens. New Democracy MP and former Education Minister, Aris Spiliotopoulos, announced yesterday his candidacy with the backing of the New Democracy party. Just a few minutes later, Nikitas Kaklamanis, former Mayor of Athens and New Democracy MP also announced his own -independent- candidacy.

During the past week, New Democracy has been anxiously looking for a candidate to challenge Athens Mayor Giorgos Kaminis' candidacy, who is running as an independent in the upcoming local elections. Sources say that after Tourism Minister Olga Kefaloyianni turned down the invitation of Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, he asked Spiliotopoulos to represent New Democracy in municipal elections for the City of Athens, who accepted the nomination.

Aris Spiliotopoulos in his announcement stated the following:

“I declare present in the invitation/challenge for Athens, in order to create a city where both residents and visitors will feel secure, for a City that will be capable of supporting all its creative forces. For a city we all love and want to help it regain the position it deserves.”

Nikitas Kaklamanis in his own announcement stated:

I formally declare to all Athenians my intention to run for Mayor of the City of Athens. The program of my independent group, which I will be the leader, will soon present its views publicly. My love for Athens is not that of an opportunist. For me, Athens was, is and will always come first.”

Prime Minister, Samaras when asked by reporters to comment on the fact that there are two candidates running for the City of Athens from the same party, he played down the significance of Kaklamanis’ move. “Whoever stands, stands,” he said.