Macedonian Press Agency: Special Report (N.D. Conference) [1], 97-03-21

From: Macedonian Press Agency <mpa@philippos.mpa.gr>

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MAIN OPPOSITION PARTY NEW DEMOCRACY BEGINS CONGRESS

Thessaloniki, March 21 (MPA)

The four contenders for the top seat are current President Miltiades Evert, Kostas Karamanlis, Byron Polydoras and George Souflias.

Mr. Evert took the podium first and issued an appeal to the other candidates that whoever is elected in the president's seat will be supported by all. He personally will guarantee unity, he added, asking the faction's members to put an end to juxtapositions, put aside their differences and lead the party to a new era of collectivity through which New Democracy will win the elections.

Mr. Karamanlis, the youngest of the four candidates, stated that this congress is actually a celebration of New Democracy and took his audience back to 23 years ago through his extensive references to the party's founder Konstantinos Karamanlis.

"The time has come for us to turn a new page," Mr. Karamanlis stated, emphasizing the need to provide the country with fresh political initiatives.

Mr. Polydoras requested the grace of God and told the delegates that he managed to overcome a series of hurdles before arriving at his current place.

Commending on the Congress itself, Mr. Polydoras said that he rejects the western models of management and espouses the ideals of Pericles, Alexander the Great and Konstantine Paleologos.

Lastly, but not least, Mr. Souflias stated that the party will emerge victorious at the next parliamentary elections, but in order to do so it must invest in responsibility and prudency.

He stated that New Democracy does have a future, as long as it can respond to four basic challenges: substantive unity, meritocracy, victory at the elections and the formation of a productive government.

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