At a book presentation on Monday at the War Museum of Athens, former prime minister Antonis Samaras chastised the government on a number of issues.

Mr. Samaras called for the government to take a more right-wing position and delivered a scathing critique of the policies on immigration, foreign policy, LGBTQ issues, and demographics.

“The message from the citizens [to the government] was to change policy, not to run faster,” stated Samaras, referring to a quote by Prime Minister Mitsotakis after the election.

Regarding the same-sex marriage law passed in February, Samaras urged the Prime Minister to listen to the Greek people’s vote and “understand he is wrong.” He also stated that bringing in migrants “is not a solution.”

Samaras also criticized the government’s handling of foreign affairs, stating that Greece has suffered humiliations from Turkey, Albania, and North Macedonia and expressing skepticism regarding Greece’s rapprochement with Turkey.

The former prime minister added that New Democracy has moved away from its center-right foundation. “Opening up is not the same as mutating,” he said, referring to the party’s ideological profile, which in recent years has moved closer to the center.