The proposal, passed by a government official to Kostas Karamanlis, could “save fate.” The proposal was that the former prime minister put forward his candidacy in the elections in Thessaloniki and resign from the parliamentary post after 1-2 months. No one is sure whether the proposal was postponed in time, but what is certain is that it was not accepted, since Karamanlis had already made his decision.

On October 24 last year, I wrote a comment under the heading “Mitsotakis in the place of Karamanly” with the following content: “[…] So one scenario is ND president. be transferred to co-capital in case Kostas Karamanlis decides that he will no longer be a candidate […]. It looks like the forecast is close to being confirmed. Next Wednesday, the Prime Minister will travel to Thessaloniki again and possibly announce that he will be a candidate in Thessaloniki 1st constituency, boosting the ballot. Of course, it is most likely that the prime minister will retain the seat of Western Athens, which will not change the balance, while at the same time an additional member of parliament will be elected in Thessaloniki.

Greetings

However, the former prime minister will not remain aloof from the election campaign, as Kyriakos Mitsotakis himself said. There is no doubt that the ex-premier will “be present” at Mitsotakis’ keynote speech in Thessaloniki, which usually takes place on the Wednesday before the elections, and it is very likely that he will also deliver some kind of greeting. After all, it is important to intensify its long-standing relations with Thessaloniki in view of the pre-election struggle.

In connection with the departure of Kostas Karamanlis, a script was released about … the relocation of the younger Karamanlis, Minister of Infrastructure, from Serres. Such a case does not exist, since he himself made it clear that while he was in politics, he did not leave the homeland of the Karamanlids.

Nikos Hardalias was appointed by the decision of Yannis Bratakos, i.e. Kyriakos Mitsotakis, as the coordinator of the ND election campaign. taking a very critical post. His replacement will be Christoforos Boutsikakis, who, as last week’s column wrote, will not run for Parliament for the First of Piraeus. From now on, Hardalias will have 13 “district governors” responsible for one district. In detail: Attica of Vassilis Kontozamanis, Central Macedonia of Giorgos Katsaunos, Central Greece of Manolis Grafakos, Crete of Charalambos Maniatis, North Aegean Sea of ​​Dimitris Fragakis, Ionian Islands of Athanasios Balerbas, South Aegean Sea of ​​Manos Logothetis, Peloponnese of Dimitris. Maravelias, Thessaly of Yiannis Hyfaras, Western Macedonia of Babis Siatras, Eastern Macedonia and Thrace of Sakis Ioannidis, Epirus of Vassilis Georgiadis and Western Greece of Alexandra Sduku. The work to be done by the Deputy Minister of Defense is very important and at the same time testifies to Maximos’ confidence in him.

The state bulletin PASOK is being prepared. Among the “playing” names is the former Minister for the Protection of Citizens under SYRIZA, Yiannis Panousis, who has a close friendship with the son of Androulakis and Lambrakis, Grigoris Lambrakis. Both of them, however, are not intended for a brilliant, but for an honorary position.

Many important changes are being prepared in the critical posts of the embassies. Among them is Ankara, where the current ambassador will return from. But also Moscow, where the heroic Katerina Nasika will move from, having endured the burden of an embassy without a staff, but also very difficult bilateral relations, while she is considered one of the most capable diplomatic servants of her generation.

What does Vassilis Karras have to do with Tony Blinken? I will explain to you. Shortly after the US Secretary of State left Athens on the long journey to Washington (he had to stop for an hour and a half in Shannon to refuel), a party was organized in the garden of the ambassador’s residence in Panagi Kyriakou. This is what American ambassadors are accustomed to after a long and difficult visit. The parties are even called “mobile parties,” which means they take place after the plane with the American official has literally taken off, and the idea is to thank all the staff who helped organize the visit. However, Greek officials who took part in various meetings were also invited. As soon as they entered the residence, they were impressed by the presence of loudspeakers playing the loud songs of Vassilis Karras. Thus, to the sounds of “I’m not going anywhere,” which can also have an allegorical meaning, strategic dialogue was glorified.

Harvard Honors Samaras

Boston sources told me that this year’s Harvard University awards will have a Greek flavor. In particular, former Prime Minister Antonis Samaras will be among the recipients of the Alumni Achievement Awards, the highest award given by an American university. The award is presented to graduates whose leadership and strategic vision are exemplary and inspirational, as its description usually says. The award will be presented to a total of four graduates from all over the world, and only Mr. Samaras will be from Europe. The ceremony takes place every year from May to June and, logically, Mr. Samaras will travel to the other side of the Atlantic to attend the ceremony.