Former Greek prime minister Antonis Samaras has been expelled from the parliamentary group of the ruling New Democracy party, which he once led, according to an announcement released by government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis on Saturday.
"We have said several times that former prime ministers have the special privilege to express their views and concerns from time to time on issues of politics.
"Mr. Samaras, in his last interview, however, did not express views. He expressed his complete disagreement with the entirety of the government policy being exercised. Furthermore, in an improper and provocative manner, he adopted extreme lies, twisting the statements of the foreign minister which have been repeatedly clarified and analysed," the announcement said.
It also strongly objected to the former premier's unflattering description of the "light-hearted" interactions between the Greek prime minister and Cyprus president with the president of Turkiye and the prime minister of Albania, as well as Samaras' insistence concerning the election of the new Greek president "which is an insult to the person and the institution of the head of state."
"All the above cannot be tolerated or accepted....All those who envision a shrunked ND of about 18% should consider that, with the strategy of Kyriakos Mitsotakis, New Democracy has so far won three national elections with percentages of the order of 40%," it added.
"Consequently, Mr. Samaras with his interview today has placed himself, for the second time after 1993, outside of New Democracy. It was, in any case, what he sought. This time, however, history will not be repeated. The government majority will steadily continue its course without Mr. Samaras. Nobody has the right to play games with the stability of the country in these troubled times," the announcement concluded.

Samaras on decision to expel him from the party

Former premier Antonis Samaras responded to a decision to expel him from ruling New Democracy with an announcement accusing Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis of "arrogance" and "being out of touch" with the party's grassroots voters.
"Arrogance and a clear lack of level-headedness explain Mitsotakis' move. Cut off from the grassroots, he leads a party that little resembles New Democracy any more. I spoke, speak and will speak only about the things that concern Greece," Samaras said on Saturday.
"Let him tell us, then, where I am wrong. In Greek-Turkish affairs, where the foreign ministry general director in charge resigned just yesterday? In the difficulties the citizens face contending with high prices? In the woke agenda which, even though he himself brought it to Greece, after Trump's election he suddenly talks of the tyranny of the minority?
"Perhaps regarding the Novartis plot?
"Or maybe because I proposed Costas Karamanlis for president of the Republic?
"I have sacrificed everything for the country, even my health. No one can, however, force me to also sacrifice my conscience.
"The people and history will judge us all."