January 5, 1956
UNDER KARAMANLIS: The election campaign virtually began the day before yesterday after the declaration by Prime Minister Constantine Karamanlis that he had founded a new party, the National Radical Union (ERE). It is only a matter of time before Parliament is dissolved and general elections declared. Meanwhile, there is growing public opinion in favor of the new party led by Karamanlis, as an increasing number of the members of the current Parliament have begun to join: in total 160 as of yesterday evening. Among them were the deputies Mr Tsakiridis, from Mr Markezinis’s party, and Mr Kotiadis, from the Liberal Democratic Union (FDE). By the end of the day, more members from the opposition parties are expected to join. Yesterday evening, Mr Stephanos Stephanopoulos announced the foundation of his own party, titled the People’s Social Party, while Mayor Pafsanias Katsotas established another party called the Progressive Workers and Farmers’ Party. SPYROS MARKEZINIS AND EDA: Talks between the United Democratic Left (EDA) and Mr Spyros Markezinis regarding cooperation in the elections have progressed but have not yet resulted in any agreement.
