Triple “burlotto” Samara in the southwest

The new intervention of Antonis Samaras occurred as the “New Democracy”.

This is as a former prime minister “Blow” on three levels.

First, he expressed his objection in general to the Greek-Turkish dialogue and in particular to the visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ten days later, saying that… “It’s not a good idea.”

Secondly, mention it He will not vote Same-sex marriage and disapproval of the political choice of Kyriakos Mitsotakis to open in the centre.

Third, Mr. Samaras dismantled the new tax framework for the self-employed. Another central policy With the personal stamp of MitsotakisThis really put the government in a difficult position. This is while she faces reactions from her “distinguished” electorate.

Anyway, Maximus He whistled carelesslyAnnouncing in all directions that the government’s policy will not change.

“The former prime minister’s views are known and we have no comment on them. The government is acting based on its program and declared positions. It is also implementing its policy on the basis of these matters,” government officials said in particular, commenting on Samaras’s interview in Kathimerini.

Indeed, Mr. Samara’s disagreements over the government’s foreign policy toward Turkey are well known, and his decision not to vote in favor of the same-sex marriage law was expected. Timing of intervention However, this is what puzzled Maximus.

It is also worth noting that, for example, when Mr. Mitsotakis from London announced his desire to cooperate with Turkey on migration, Mr. Samaras was questioning the effectiveness of this strategy.

Samaras plays the leader of the far-right wing of the New Republic party

It is also not the first time Mr. Samaras has accused Mr. Mitsotakis of taking Southwest too far toward the center.

After all, the former Prime Minister also wanted in the past (and at the recent National Dialogue Conference, but also at the Europe Day event that preceded the elections) to appear as a spokesman for the far-right wing of the National Dialogue Party. While he did not hide it He believes the New Republic Party should evolve into a Trumpist, alt-right, hard-right party.

He even cited as an example the Netherlands, where far-right Geert Wilders won the European elections, to argue that New Democracy should also move to the right in light of the European elections. Naturally, Wilders’ anti-Greece rhetoric of the past was forgotten.

While he also cited the results of the regional elections to say that society in Greece is also moving towards the right, attributing the rebel victories to this.

Same-sex marriage is a test for Mitsotakis

Mr Samaras was expected to reject same-sex marriage, but stressed that the vote would be a test for Mr Mitsotakis.

The former Prime Minister is of course an ordinary member of Parliament and Maximus has already decided that It will not raise the issue of party discipline On this particular topic. Moreover, ministers who will not vote, such as Makis Voridis, represent an even greater headache, as it would be unprecedented for members of the government themselves not to support a bill introduced by their colleague that is a decision of the Prime Minister himself.

However, it will certainly not be pleasant at all and a potential image of abstention from the vote by dozens of NDP MPs. However, the possibility is being considered that the regulation of marriage for same-sex couples will not come independently, but will be included in a broader draft law on family matters, in order to facilitate the positive vote of parliamentarians, or Even to soften the impressions.

A constitutional maneuver is also being considered, with dissidents using the issue of procreation to cover up their homophobia. Of particular note is that while same-sex couples may not only be recognized as having the right to procreate, men may also be granted the sole right to procreate, a right that only women currently have.

However, Samara’s “no” puts pressure on MPs who fear that if they vote in favor of same-sex marriage, they will lose votes from the conservative right, to follow the former prime minister rather than the current prime minister and head of the New Republic party. .

Maximus is therefore likely to leave the issue of same-sex marriage behind After the European elections.