“I have decided that it is time for my parliamentary journey to end” – With these words the former conservative Prime Minister of Greece, Kostas Karamanlis, announced on Tuesday he will not take part in the country’s next general elections.
In a statement, Karamanlis highlighted his support for the party he served for decades and said: “I always support the New Democracy government, [and] the party founded by Konstantinos Karamanlis which I have served continuously for almost half a century.”
Current Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, thanked Mr Karamanlis for his service.
“Personally, I do not forget that under his party leadership I joined politics,” Mitsotakis said.
“I know that he always has New Democracy in his heart. Much more so today, when the turning point in his own multi-year journey coincides with the opening of new and optimistic horizons for our country and our party.”
Karamanlis’ first parliament election with New Democracy came in 1989 for Thessaloniki. He served as the conservative party’s premier in 2004-2009.
Source: ekathimerini.com
