Antonis Samaras’ recent videos—sharply critical of the current government and personally targeting Government Spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis and New Democracy MP Dora Bakoyannis—did not come as a surprise, but they did unsettle the Maximos Mansion. The timing was significant: Samaras released the clips on July 5, the 11th anniversary of the divisive 2015 referendum called by SYRIZA’s government—a moment the ruling New Democracy party and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis had already seized to launch a strong critique of Alexis Tsipras, accusing him of nearly leading Greece out of the eurozone and returning without genuine remorse or ideological change.
Maximos’ Response
Government Spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis (Blue Sky) responded directly: “When I saw that Mr. Samaras had posted some videos—and given the date today is July 5, eleven years after the dark anniversary of that divisive referendum and its aftermath—I assumed he would make a video or post reflecting on those days, because it’s important we never forget.”
He added with emphasis: “Instead, he chose to make a video against the governing coalition—and against New Democracy itself.”
A Personal Agenda, Not Public Concern
The government, speaking through Marinakis, opted not to escalate tensions or engage in public confrontation with the former ND leader. “The government is focused on improving citizens’ lives and correcting past mistakes—not on commentary or counter-accusations rooted in a personal agenda,” Marinakis said. “This doesn’t particularly concern the public.”
On the substance of Samaras’ claims, Marinakis kept his remarks brief and principled: “The government is fulfilling its duty—to implement a policy for the present and the future.”
‘Hard Rock’ Politics
A second reason the Maximos Mansion viewed Samaras’ move with skepticism is that it signals an imminent announcement of a new political party—and suggests his communication strategy will embrace what observers are calling ‘hard rock’ politics: confrontational, high-energy, and deliberately disruptive.
Targeting Younger Voters
Both videos were published across social media platforms—including TikTok—clearly aiming to resonate with younger voters. In them, Samaras appears in conversation with his Press Office Director, Nikos Tsioütsias.
Samaras’ Jabs at Mitsotakis and Marinakis
In the first video, Samaras responded directly—and pointedly—to Marinakis’ earlier comment that founding a new party would amount to formal expulsion from New Democracy. “You know what that reminds me of?” Samaras retorted. “Arguments from the president of Edessaikos”—a reference widely understood in Greek political circles as shorthand for outdated, irrelevant rhetoric.