EU Commissioner Avramopoulos resigns from Greek conservative party

Greece' EU Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Dimitris Avramopoulos resigned from the vice presidency of the conservative main opposition New Democracy (ND) party on Sunday.

Avramopoulos submitted his resignation during a meeting of the party's political committee. He said he lacked time due to his duties in a demanding position and suggested that a younger party member should take over to bridge generations within ND.

Avramopoulos called for change of course of ND after the defeat to the Radical Left SYRIZA in January's general elections.

"We cannot attribute defeat to the adversary's populist campaign pledges. We should acknowledge our mistakes and embrace self-criticism," Avramopoulos concluded.

ND President Antonis Samaras is under increasing pressure in recent weeks to step down.

Two dozen frontline party deputies have openly called for a party congress to discuss all issues. Samaras, backed by other prominent party members, dismissed the idea, arguing that it would not benefit the country and the party at such a difficult period as Greece faces the dark shadow of a credit crunch this spring. Endit