January 15, 1959
CENTER-RIGHT: Liberal Party leader Sophocles Venizelos yesterday held a meeting with the leader of the Progressive Party, Spyridon Markezinis, but during the talks the two leaders failed in their attempts to create a new political party out of the nationalist opposition. It was decided for the time being to put an end to any discussion of the subject. Venizelos said he would continue his efforts to work with other politicians in the nationalist opposition. Of these, it is known that Stefanos Stefanopoulos and Lambros Eftaxias are likely to side with the Progressive Party leader and therefore it is unlikely that Venizelos will pursue talks in that direction. The same applies to Panayiotis Papaligouras, who has not indicated any willingness to participate in such a party. Rumors of another political move by longer-established parties of the democratic center working with a group of Liberal deputies, who are headed by Georgios Mavros and do not support Venizelos, are believed to be inaccurate. VENICE INSTITUTE: Sofia Antoniadou, director of the Hellenic Institute of Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Studies in Venice, which dates from the 17th century, is in Athens for talks at ministries and the Athens Academy.
