Ten former ND MPs join Kammenos

The establishment of a Parliamentary Group will take place, by expelled New Democracy members, who will then join “Independent Greeks”, the establishment of which was announced by Mr. Panos Kammenos at Distomo last Sunday.

The Standing Orders provides that to establish a parliamentary group, at least ten MPs are needed.

According to reports, the new venture expected to be announced by Mr. Panos Kammenos within the week, possibly tomorrow, will include Mrs. Elena Kountoura, Mr. Christos Zois, Mr. Kostas Markopoulos, Mr. Dimitris Stamatis, Mr. Panayiotis Melas, Mr. Mihalis Giannakis, Mrs. Tsambika Iatridou, Mrs. Maria Kollia Tsarouha, Mr. Spiros Galinos and Mr. Giorgos Vagionas.

Mrs. Eliza Vozenberg, Mr. Giorgos Vlachos, Mr. Kostas Gioulekas, Mr. Kostas Papsiozos, Mr. Giorgos Karasmanis and Mr. Margaritis Tzimas will remain independent. These particular members are awaiting ND’s next steps. Some are possibly going to return to ND or join a new  party, while other state they will not be running again.

Today, Mr. Yiannis Mihelakis said that the “call to arms declared by Mr. Samaras was addressed to society”, implying that it does not regard MPs or parties.

The return of five MPs who answered Mr. Samaras’ call to arms is only a matter of time; they voted for the new Memorandum’s laws, which they had at initially downvoted. Namely these are Mr. Zisis Tsikalagias, Mr. Manolis Kefalogiannis, Mr. Alexandros Dermetzopoulos, Mr. Theofilos Leontaridis and Mr. Anastasios Karipidis.

The establishment of a new party which will gain parliamentary representation causes nervousness for ND since it provides an outlet for votes of right-wing citizens who are against the memorandum.

ND however is following a hard line, placing a condition for candidates who will participate in the next election, “that they will not move around the country and speak against the Memorandum”.