On January 4, 1956, Prime Minister Konstantinos Karamanlis, on the eve of the elections scheduled for February 19, decides to dissolve the Greek Anxiety party, created by Alexandros Papagos, and to create a new political body – the National Radical Union (ERU).

It seems that, among other things, his decision was dictated by the rapid development of the Cyprus issue and Greek-Turkish relations in general, as well as on the Cold War front.

In his statements, he speaks of the beginning of a new political period and “leadership of a new generation”, while at the same time calling on citizens to leave behind the anachronistic factions that arose during a period of civil divisions.

“I believe, and this conviction is based on my personal experience and research, that Greece can change its shape and the destiny of its people. […] It is this problem that the Greek people are called upon to solve during the upcoming elections, and they will solve it if they create a new political force capable and determined to carry out this peaceful revolution. […]”explains Konstantinos Karamanlis in a statement published on the front page of Kathimerini on January 5, 1956.

Answering journalists’ questions about whether there were “preliminary negotiations” behind his political friends, he said that he “wants to leave them free, so that they, having studied the main directions of the new party, decide on their position.”

“So,” he added jokingly, “at this moment I am completely alone. Tomorrow we will see who will follow the new political movement.

As a result, it turned out that many people wanted to follow Mr. Karamanlis to the ERE: “160 deputies and many politicians have already joined the party of Mr. K. Karamanlis – MPs from the opposition have joined the ERE”, “Kathimerini” announced on its front page 6 January.

The new members of the ERE included almost all Hellenic Alarm MPs and several liberal politicians such as Evangelos Averof, Konstantinos Tsatsos and Grigoris Kasimatis. The newly formed party was to form three successive governments under Konstantinos Karamanlis.