New Democracy

New Democracy leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis has backed an amendment on the segmentation of constituencies in the Greek capital, included in a bill submitted by the government. The amendment will fragment the Attica Region and the Athens B constituency - the largest in Greece - and will take effect in the next elections.

Main opposition New Democracy is said to approve an amendment on the segmentation of constituencies in the Greek capital, included in a bill submitted by the government.

An independent lawmaker representing the Central Greece city of Larissa is joining the ranks of the main conservative opposition.

Giorgos Katsiandonis's addition to the ranks of New Democracy will bring the number of the party's lawmakers in the 300-seat House to 77.

Conservative New Democracy leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and cadres in the opposition party's leadership, are planning to make overtures across the political spectrum aimed at expanding the party's traditional base of supporters, Kathimerini understands.

The initiative will reach the "pro-European center-left," associates of Mitsotakis have told Kathimerini.

Faced with fierce opposition criticism over the recent Eurogroup debt deal and the country's post-bailout surveillance, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Thursday personally attacked New Democracy leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis, making reference to the Novartis pharmaceutical scandal and accusing him of having shady dealings with foreign officials. 

New Democracy leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis accused the government of costing the country 34 billion euros for each year it has stayed in power, referencing the tense first six months of the government's negotiations with its creditors.

The leader of the junior coalition partner Independent Greeks (ANEL) reiterated his intention to seek an increased majority for the approval the name deal with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and hit out at New Democracy leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis and vice president Costis Hatzidakis for their criticism of comments made by European Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Pi

Main opposition leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced on Thursday New Democracy will table a proposed amendment calling for a freeze in the planned pension cuts that will take effect as of 2019.

The moves come as party leaders debate on post-bailout austerity in Greece.

A debate in Parliament about the economy, and in particular the commitments that Greece has signed up to after the expiry of its third international bailout in August, is scheduled for Thursday following a request by New Democracy leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos accused main opposition chief Kyriakos Mitsotakis of heavy-handedness after comments made during a visit to Athens by European Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Pierre Moscovici.