New Democracy

A groundbreaking law that challenges traditional perspectives, particularly on social issues, must first and foremost persuade the majority of citizens about two things: that it is sound and necessary. It should convey that it addresses existing situations without creating disruptions in society that jeopardize its cohesion.

The Greek government is planning to speed up the submission of legislation that would legalize same-sex marriage, amid strong reactions within the Conservative party.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has said the bill will extend full parental rights to gay couples but will not allow for medically assisted reproduction through a surrogate.

Marriage equality legislation has managed to rattle the entire spectrum of the political system in Greece's conservative society, from the right to the left.

The bill on same-sex marriage has plunged ruling New Democracy and leftist opposition SYRIZA into turmoil.

Indicatively, ND lawmaker Antonis Samaras, a former conservative prime minister, said he opposed the choice of Premier Kyriakos Mitsotakis to suggest the solution of abstention to dissenting MPs. 

A new opinion poll released ahead of European Parliament elections in June 2024, showed Greece's ruling conservatives maintaining a comfortable lead, with PASOK socialists climbing to the second place ahead of SYRIZA.

Governing party New Democracy MPs were invited to attend informational sessions on the new legislation on same-sex marriage by party secretary Stavros Kalafatis on Thursday.

Greece's opposition parties blasted the ruling New Democracy government of not doing enough to curb soaring prices and that the measures announced earlier on Wednesday are inadequate.
 

The credibility of the Parliament inquiry committee set up to investigate the Tempe train collision in central Greece last February, which cost the lives of 57 people, is being eroded by the acrimonious exchanges between the government and the opposition, even before key witnesses are examined.

Everyone agrees that the country needs a strong opposition, even the government and even the government spokesman, Pavlos Marinakis, who said as much after the election of Stefanos Kasselakis to the leadership of SYRIZA.

Ahead of a televised interview on Wednesday evening in which Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is expected to open the debate on same-sex marriage and parenthood, three New Democracy MPs have expressed their basic opposition to any change in the law.