«Who’s next?» says Rigillis

«Lefteris Avgenakis is out, the next one should get ready». That’s the message from Rigillis to the MPs who are leaning towards Mrs Bakoyanni.  
 
The reason for his removal were the statements made on Monday and Tuesday to radio stations by the Heraklion representative, who is also Mrs Bakoyanni’s best man. He anticipated the entry of the Democratic Alliance in Parliament in the next elections, while criticizing ND politics, and invited Mr Samaras to take note of Mrs Bakoyanni’s positions
 
The removal was discussed on Monday evening but was announced on Tuesday afternoon by the party secretary, Mr Andreas Lykourentzos.  
 
His statement reads: «Since it is quite clear that a plan is at work to support PASOK against ND, president Antonis Samaras will adhere to the mandate received by the Greek people for a regenerated, powerful and responsible New Democracy, without introversion and distractions, committed to its great task: To contribute effectively to bringing the country out of this crisis».  
 
Mr Avgenakis replied with a tough statement saying, among other things, that he was informed by the media and added «this removal is part of a pre-decided operation to dispose of any MP that was not completely subjugated to the introverted and outdated perception of politics put forth by Mr Samaras».  
 
He attributes his removal to «the state of panic that Mr Samaras is in, his failure at the municipal elections and the discomfort of Mr Samaras and his team as concerns any new, independent, honest, non-submissive political voice».  
 

“We won’t get involved”  

Party members said that Mr Avgenakis confirmed the president’s choice and demonstrated his own decision for an heroic exit». Members of the Democratic Alliance said that their party will not get involved in other parties’ internal affairs».  
 
Rigillis suspects under-the-table communication between Mr Avgenakis and Mrs Bakogianni. An ND member stated that «the moderate and low profile MP who had not made any statements before, railed against Mr Samaras just a day after the establishment of Dora’s new party. Is that pure chance?».  
 
At high levels of ND, it is believed that there is a wider plan for the creation of continuous introversion and political damage, by MPs controlled by Mss Bakoyanni. At Rigillis, they are troubled as to whether those MPs will be allowed to defect by their own free will, thus «uncovering the defection plan», or if Mr Samaras will have to remove them. A party member was saying that «a collective deletion enhances the president’s leadership profile, whereas individual departures suggest weakness».  
 
Partyh sources suggested that «Mr Avgerakis owes his election to Mrs Bakogianni’s support and hopes to get elected in Crete, which is her stronghold, if the party reaches 3%».  
 
Next in line is Ms Elsa Papadimitriou both because of her personal relationship with Mrs Bakogianni and because of the help she gave to Mr Petros Tatoulis in the recent elections.  
 
Mr Giannopoulos, Mr Lampropoulos, Mr Karagounis, Mr Giannelis, Mr Kedikoglou and Mr Kontogiannis are under observation, although each for their own personal reasons.  
 
For example, Mr Giannopoulos and Mr Lampropoulos are accused of moving against the party’s candidates at the elections.