Athens, Greece (August 3, 2025, 12:23 AM AEST) – Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis hinted at his departure from politics in an interview with Dimitris Danikas for Proto Thema.
“This job as prime minister ends at some point, and I will need to work outside politics. Let those who understand, understand,” Mitsotakis stated, sparking speculation about his future and the leadership of New Democracy (ND).
The remarks, set to be analyzed in the Sunday, August 3 edition of Proto Thema, suggest Mitsotakis may step down as prime minister, ND president, and Member of Parliament after the next elections. Analysts see this as either opening succession discussions within ND or a call to quell internal party conflicts until the 2027 elections, where Mitsotakis aims for a parliamentary majority.
Navigating Party Stability
Mitsotakis’ choice of controlled postal voting over a parliamentary ballot underscores his focus on maintaining stability within ND’s parliamentary group. With autumn nearing, he appears to be preparing for significant changes, potentially exiting the Maximos Mansion and ND’s Piraeus Street headquarters.
In the interview, Mitsotakis reiterated plans for spring 2027 elections and addressed the OPEKEPE agricultural subsidies issue, aligning with PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis’ call for accountability and fund recovery. This shift contrasts with earlier criticisms of Androulakis, highlighting ND’s efforts to retain support from Greece’s agricultural base, particularly in Crete.
A Cryptic Message
Mitsotakis’ enigmatic remark, “Let those who understand, understand,” has left observers curious about its deeper meaning. As Greece awaits further details from the interview, the prime minister’s future and ND’s trajectory remain central to national discourse.