In her letter to MPs and MEPs, Diamantopoulou outlines her political journey, goals, and achievements, emphasizing the need for unity moving forward. She highlights her intent to showcase her programmatic commitments through the upcoming televised debate. Diamantopoulou seems to be raising the stakes and positioning herself as the strongest alternative to Prime Minister Mitsotakis, using four key verbs to express her intentions: to challenge, compare, confront, and replace him. She is prepared to engage vigorously, yet always within the realm of politics, with the other candidates for the PASOK leadership.
Mrs. Diamantopoulou wrote:
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
As a candidate for the leadership of PASOK – Movement for Change, I have reached a personal conclusion from my extensive political experience:
“What matters is not the position from which you choose to fight, but the consistency in your positions and opinions, the vision, and the stability of your beliefs, so that you can contribute to realizing what you envision.”
My political journey began with PASOK Youth and the Kozani Prefecture Secretariat. This was followed by my service as Prefect of Kastoria, my election as the first MP of Kozani and later in Athens A’, and my participation in the governments of Kostas Simitis and George Papandreou. In between, I had the honor of serving at the European Commission, which allowed me to view Greece through the eyes of Europe rather than Europe through the eyes of Greece. These opportunities equipped me with a wealth of knowledge, experience, and confidence to tackle major national, European, and global issues, always adhering to the principles of social democracy, adapting to modern times, and focusing on the needs and potential of 2030.
Today, I aim to leverage this experience for our country and the Movement, seeking the position of President of PASOK – Movement for Change. My goal is to help shape a party that is open and close to the citizens, ready to assume the governance of the country.
I am reaching out to each of you, who have recently experienced the competition or rivalry in convincing others to support your political views and positions. I understand well what it means to face opposition, but I have always had the clarity of my positions and political choices as my ally and have always believed in the integrity of internal party processes.
I hope we can create opportunities similar to those I have had in my political career.
In the ongoing battle to elect a new President, your role is crucial. Your recent active engagement and connection with citizens help ensure a level of political culture, unity, and respect for PASOK’s enduring values.
Therefore, I deemed it necessary to communicate with you. Through dialogue and respectful competition, which I will pursue in every way, I will have the chance to deeply present my programmatic positions during the debate.
It is clear to me that no one can be satisfied with mere observations about the current state of the country or the problems faced by every Greek citizen. We are daily bombarded with information and dire forecasts, and citizens are demanding answers on “what” and “how” we will change things. Generalities and clever phrases no longer suffice, and the dangerous trend of democratic apathy is growing.
Our struggle is collective, for PASOK and the country.
PASOK has always been a pioneer, opening the path for electing the President from the base of society.
PASOK – Movement for Change must reaffirm its message of advancing a new leadership with vision, strategy, dynamism, and authority suited for the new era.
My vision for a “Strong and Governing PASOK” requires our unity, respect, and the promotion of institutions as the core of our ideological and value-based identity. I take responsibility for making this a reality through a respectful and civilized exchange of positions and views with my fellow candidates and with all of you who are the fundamental support for the movement’s positions in society.
My goal is to address the concerns of every citizen of the great democratic party and to reunite with all those who share our common concerns and views, and together realize our vision.
In this direction, I seek your valuable support and contribution. Let’s have a good fight!
Anna Diamantopoulou
