Former prime minister Costas Karamanlis broke a lengthy and 'audible' political silence on Tuesday to speak in support of his successor at the helm of the New Democracy party Antonis Samaras, stressing the need to strengthen the ND party as a condition for political and governmental stability.

"The greater the support for New Democracy and Samaras, the more foundation there is to hope that we can emerge from the crisis without an even greater cost," he said in statement issued on Tuesday.

"The primary requirement at the upcoming elections is political and governmental stability. Crucial decisions must be taken, structural changes must proceed rapidly and, above all, there is an urgency for a comprehensive policy for growth that will bring the country out of the dead-end vortex of recession.

The country must be capable of voting for a government with a clear-cut political aim and a four-year time limit.

Otherwise, this unprecedented adventure that the country is experiencing will worsen on all levels; economically, socially and even nationally.

A necessary requirement for political and governmental stability is to strengthen New Democracy," Karamanlis' statement said.