ND to settle details of leadership debates, vote
New Democracy’s electoral committee is due to convene on Thursday for the second time this week in an attempt to decide the date of the party’s leadership contest, as well as the process that will be followed and how much it will cost to hold the ballot.
The panel is due to meet at 5 p.m., when it will also consider a proposal for the four candidates – current leader Evangelos Meimarakis, ex-ministers Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Adonis Georgiadis, and Central Macedonia Governor Apostolos Tzitzikostas – to hold one or more televised debates. Public broadcaster ERT offered Wednesday to host the discussions.
“All the candidates have to state their positions so that we can have a debate about how we view New Democracy,” Mitsotakis told Skai Radio on Wednesday.
Georgiadis, meanwhile, criticized Tzitzikostas for keeping a low profile so far. “His views have to be made public,” said the former health minister. “I am not aware of what he stands for. A leader cannot win while hiding, he has to be visible.”
The electoral committee is expected to decide Thursday how many debates will be held and what rules will apply. In the meantime, the candidates will begin their public appearances.
Tzitizikostas is due to speak in Patra on Friday, while Mitsotakis is due to visit Cyprus. Georgiadis will begin his campaign with a visit to the gold mine at Skouries in Halkidiki.
