K. Karamanlis Resigns-Election of ND New President

Outgoing Prime-minister K. Karamanlis, in his statement at Zappeio Mansion, assumed responsibility for the results of elections and announced his resignation from the post of ND party President. He also announced that he will start procedures for the election of new president during an extraordinary congress which will convene in a month.

Mr. Karamanlis thanked voters who supported the ND party under the difficult financial-political circumstances. He underlined that he chose to present with honesty the difficult and not the pleasant decisions required to exit the country from the financial crisis. He congratulated George Papandreou on his victory and wished him to overcome the big challenge of the difficult financial circumstances.

Mr. Karamanlis referred to the ND party’s course in his capacity as President of ND. The party increased its percentage points in 2000, won the 2004 elections while the party received a fresh mandate in 2007. Today, we were defeated as voters did not approve our economic plan placing forward dealing with the chronic weaknesses of the economy, which I considered necessary for an exit of the country from the financial crisis.

He underlined that the road of responsibility demands him assuming full responsibility for the election defeat and start procedures for his succession in the party’s leadership with the convention of an extraordinary congress in a month. Mr. Karamanlis said that he will support the new leader that will be elected through democratic procedures and will continue to fight for his party and the country’s interests.