Former Prime Minister Antonis Samaras is expected to signal the creation of a new political party next week, a move aimed at rallying the "patriotic right" and a broader anti-government electorate that would significantly shake up Greece's political landscape.
Sources told iefimerida.gr that the 74-year-old former conservative leader will make a public statement subtly announcing his intentions.
The move comes as the country's political scene is already in flux following the recent resignation of former leftist premier Alexis Tsipras from Parliament.
Mr. Samaras, who was expelled from the ruling New Democracy party in 2024 after sharply criticizing Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, has made sporadic but critical public appearances since.
He recently said: "I remain present and combat-ready, no matter how much that annoys some."
His potential return to frontline politics could fracture the conservative vote. While Mr. Samaras recently appeared at an event alongside fellow former Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis, signaling a potential alliance, sources close to Mr. Karamanlis have reportedly distanced him from any new party plans.
The relationship between Mr. Samaras and the current prime minister remains frosty.
Mr. Samaras recently canceled a planned joint appearance with Mr. Mitsotakis at the last minute, choosing instead to attend the event with Mr. Karamanlis.
The move is seen as a direct challenge to Mr. Mitsotakis's leadership of the center-right.
By Antonis Telopoulos