Former Greek PM George Papandreou struggled to make his way to the podium of the Benaki Museum and joked that a larger venue was needed. He said that he was expecting more signatures on the declaration for the Democrat Socialists’ Movement of the party. “Let’s go!” he said. “We’ll write history!”

“We aren’t starting from zero but from the beginning, and the beginning are our values,” he said, pointing to values such as humanity and belief in freedom and protection against discrimination. He spoke of a commitment of factions that respect the rights of every citizen. “We’re inspired by the values of political liberalism. Citizens must control the government. The power of law should override everything and not the law of the strong. We’re inspired by the principles of socialism and our faith in Justice and the principles of ecology,” said Mr. Papandreou.

He called for solidarity. He said his party wants to express politically a social alliance between Justice and creativity, adding that the “post-dictatorshiop era ends in Greece and now the new struggle is to free democracy that has been imprisoned by economic and media interests that are supported by the clientist state.”

Present at the event was Thanos Moraitis, Nikos Sifounakis, Andras Fouras, Yiannis Diamantidis, Grigoris Viotis, Symeon Kedikoglou, George Anomeritis, Manolis Stratakis, Reggina Varteli and Michael Karhimakis who resigned from the socialist PASOK party on Friday. Independent MP Christos Aidonis was also present.

The premiere’s wife Ada Papandreou, deeply moved, watched her husband in awe from the front row constantly taking photos and videos.

At one point during the event, Mr. Papandreou’s speech was interrupted when a member of the audience fainted.