Rumors that the former socialist PASOK prime minister and son of the party’s founder, George Papandreou, would create his own party were further fueled following Tuesday’s meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Evangelos Venizelos who currently heads the party. The two men met briefly prior to the parliamentary vote, though this meeting was seen as largely symbolic and merely paying lip-service to a decision already taken.

Mr. Venizelos is believed to have asked Mr. Papandreou to consider party unity and asked Mr. Papandreou to join him in fighting the electoral battle.

Sources close to Mr. Papandreou state that the announcement concerning the split will be made following the third round of presidential elections on December 29, provided that Stavros Dimas, the coalition government’s candidate is unsuccessful.

Who will Mr. Papandreou take with him if he leaves the party?

Mr. Papandreou is seeking a third of the current PASOK parliamentary group, around ten deputies, however it still remains to be seen if he will succeed. Thanos Moraitis is believed to be a certain follower, whereas Philippos Sahinidis, Kostas Triandafyllos and Symeon Kedikoglou are also likely to follow. MP Nikos Sifounakis is also a likely contender, whereas another likely follower is believed to be Angela Gerekou who had worked closely with Mr. Papandreou. Mr. Papandreou also hopes to bring Mihalis Chrysohoidis to his ranks due to the distance between the former MP and the current PASOK leader. Those close to Mr. Papandreou are also wooing independent MP Christos Aidonis and SYRIZA deputy Markos Bolaris.