ND’s Meimarakis slams former PM Samaras

A few days before New Democracy supporters try to elect a new leader on Sunday, one of the candidates – Vangelis Meimarakis – has claimed he has the support of former party chief Costas Karamanlis and has accused ex-conservative prime minister Antonis Samaras of trying to prevent him winning.

“Who wouldn’t be pleased with the support of Karamanlis?” Meimarakis told Skai TV on Wednesday. “All the candidates wanted it but the problem is that they did not get it and that is why they are angry now.”

Meimarakis led the party briefly between July and November, succeeding Samaras, who he claims is trying to help other candidates.

“Initially he supported [Central Macedonia Governor] Apostolos Tzitzikostas but now he seems to be supporting all the candidacies bar mine.”

Four candidates will stand in Sunday’s ballot.