Everything is ready at the Presidential Mansion for the reception marking the 52nd anniversary of the restoration of democracy in Greece, with this year’s event featuring several changes compared with previous years.

Forecasts of rain prompted organizers to move the reception indoors, to the hall where, just a few months ago, the French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife dined with Greece’s President Konstantinos Tasoulas and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

Traditionally, the President of the Republic meets privately with the prime minister, the speaker of Parliament and the leaders of the political parties at the garden pavilion. This year, however, according to information from TO VIMA, the meeting will take place in a specially arranged lounge on the first floor.

The party leaders will also be accompanied by their wives, rather than attending alone. The private meeting will follow an address by President Konstantinos Tasoulas.

The evening’s menu will feature finger food, white and rosé wine, as well as cocktails including Aperol Spritz and Negroni.

Musical accompaniment will be provided by the Hellenic Navy Band, which will perform works by leading Greek composers and songwriters, including Stavros Xarhakos, Mikis Theodorakis, Manos Hadjidakis and Dionysis Savvopoulos, alongside international classics such as “My Way”.

This year’s absences are also drawing particular attention, carrying their own political symbolism. In addition to Plefsi Eleftherias, Niki and the Hellenic Solution, SYRIZA will not attend the reception for the first time.

Former Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras will also be absent, despite having received an invitation.

Meanwhile, until the last moment, the possibility of former Prime Minister Antonis Samaras attending remained open, as he had yet to make his response to the invitation known.