Meimarakis expected to stand in New Democracy leadership contest

New Democracy’s current leader, Evangelos Meimarakis is expected to announce on Monday his intention to contest the party’s leadership in a vote due to take place later this year.

If Meimarakis joins the race he will be the third candidate to stand in the contest. Former administrative reform minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis was the first to announce his candidacy last week. He was joined over the weekend by Central Macedonia governor Apostolos Tzitzikostas.

Sources told Kathimerini that after talks with party officials over the weekend Meimarakis has decided to run as well. The 61-year-old took over as party leader when Antonis Samaras resigned following the July 5 referendum.

It is expected that at least one more conservative, possibly ex-health minister Makis Voridis, will step forward before the October 2 deadline, by when candidates have to declare their interest in contesting the leadership.

Each candidacy needs to be backed by at least 50 members of New Democracy’s political committee.