Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is looking for a way out of the recent wave of internal party tensions, a task he will attempt on Thursday, during the meeting of the parliamentary group of the ruling New Democracy party. The session is scheduled for 11 a.m. at Parliament and is expected to be lengthy—and not entirely “painless” for the government. More than 40 party members have already indicated they will speak, many planning to raise concerns, questions, and complaints. The tone of some interventions has already been foreshadowed by the double-digit number of MPs who have publicly criticized the government in recent days.

The prevailing view within the parliamentary group is that the criticism will remain within limits, while efforts have been made in recent days to tone down the internal climate. Phrases such as “New Democracy grows stronger through dialogue” and “we should not sweep issues under the rug, but neither should we shoot ourselves in the foot” are indicative.

The Unlisted Speakers

Beyond those officially registered to speak, others are also expected to take the floor. According to reports, some MPs have not prepared formal speeches but will decide on the spot whether to intervene, depending on how the discussion unfolds.

Specifically, they plan to first listen to the prime minister’s remarks and possibly to colleagues from the same internal camp. This leaves room for spontaneous observations—and even tensions—depending on how the debate develops and whether disagreements escalate or are contained.

Institutional Shield and Rising Tensions

After the interventions of the parliamentary group secretary and Mitsotakis himself, Euripides Stylianidis, the party’s rapporteur on constitutional revision, has been asked to present a detailed briefing. The meeting’s central theme has been set accordingly: the presentation of the party’s proposal as a basis for discussion on 30 articles of the Constitution, ahead of the launch of the parliamentary revision committee later this month, once the government’s proposal—signed by 50 MPs—is formally submitted.

The government is positioning itself behind the institutional process. Prime ministerial aides describe Mitsotakis’s address as a “formal institutional speech,” setting the tone at a time when internal tensions within the party show little sign of easing. In essence, the government is attempting to define the framework of the discussion with MPs, seeking to calm tensions—or at least redirect attention away from issues that highlight internal divisions.

Attempt to Control the Agenda

At the same time, it is trying to regain control of the political agenda and shape the battleground with its opponents, steering away from areas that have caused political, communication, and polling pressure for months.

Government sources outline Mitsotakis’s three main objectives through the proposed constitutional revisions: first, to demonstrate an effort to restore “the relationship between citizens and the state, institutions, and the political system” amid a prolonged crisis of trust, with issues of “corruption and transparency” featuring prominently in voter concerns. Second, to project the image that New Democracy has a plan for a more “effective public administration,” at a time when it is under pressure from developments in the OPEKEPE scandal (Greece’s agricultural subsidies agency). Third, to introduce “modern proposals” addressing new challenges such as Artificial Intelligence and affordable housing, as the government advances a “2030” narrative aimed at reconnecting with voter groups from the 2023 elections.

“Elections in 2027”

At the same time, criticism from MPs is considered inevitable. Personal grievances, shared anxieties, concerns about the future, feelings of marginalization, and distance from the “center of power” weigh on the atmosphere, especially as the party continues to lag behind its electoral targets in polls. Mitsotakis is therefore expected to send both messages of unity and support, as well as “red lines” regarding MPs’ responsibilities ahead of the party congress on May 15–17 and the national elections—“in 2027,” as he is expected to emphasize.

MPs, for their part, are eager to use their allotted five minutes to express their positions—or more precisely, their disagreements. All indications suggest that at least four main areas of criticism will emerge.

Criticism Seen as Inevitable

The first concerns the “executive state” model—not so much its structure, but how it functions and the individuals representing it. The issue was highlighted by an open letter from five regional ND MPs addressed to the prime minister’s office and published in the press.

The second relates to the role and stance of non-parliamentary figures—not only those within the prime minister’s inner circle—which leads to the third area: the overall relationship between ministers and MPs. Converging reports suggest there may be pointed criticism of “absent senior figures” during difficult moments, such as the OPEKEPE scandal and the wiretapping affair.

The fourth area concerns the party’s electoral strategy and direction. Concerns remain strong within the parliamentary group that certain decisions and initiatives from the prime minister’s office are alienating parts of the more conservative, traditional center-right electorate.

The Proposals

Differences also exist among MPs regarding proposals Mitsotakis has introduced into public debate as part of the constitutional revision process. Despite limited prospects for political consensus in the current Parliament, objections have been raised within the party on issues such as incompatibility between ministerial and parliamentary roles, a mixed electoral system combining preference voting and party lists, and reducing the number of MPs. It remains to be seen which points of convergence and divergence will emerge—and whether today’s discussion will broaden beyond the provisions already under informal debate.

So far, New Democracy has put forward the following constitutional revisions for public discussion:

Article 5 on the protection of individual freedom and security in relation to Artificial Intelligence.

Article 16 on the establishment of non-state universities.

Article 30 proposing a single six-year term for the President of the Republic.

Articles 51 and 54 concerning the election of MPs and the electoral system.

Article 86 on the criminal liability of ministers.

Article 90 on the selection of judicial leadership.

Article 101A on Independent Authorities.

Article 103 on redefining tenure in the public sector.

The party is also opening discussions on housing, fiscal rules, the functioning of political parties, and the climate crisis.