A state of alert has been declared at the headquarters of the six candidates for the leadership of PASOK as the polls will open in just a few hours – tomorrow, Sunday, at 7 a.m.
All six candidates express optimism about the outcome of the first round battle and are ready to make the most of the remaining time to attract voters to the party’s internal elections. Predictions alternate with bets on the favorites and potential surprises, as candidates continue to canvass areas where they expect significant improvements in their percentages. However, the recent polls present “unclear” estimates for the results of the internal elections in PASOK.
Nonetheless, the party’s percentages are rising (by more than two points compared to the European elections), and the teams are anticipating mass participation from members and supporters at the polls across Greece tomorrow. Although recent polls indicated a likely face-off between Androulakis and Doukas, in two surveys yesterday, Anna Diamantopoulou and Pavlos Geroulanos are gaining momentum, keeping the race open for four candidates.
The Pulse poll indicates an open election, with the percentages of the main candidates falling within the margin of error, while Metron Analysis gives an edge to Androulakis and Diamantopoulou for the second round, predicting Androulakis will win by a narrow margin. In Pulse’s survey, presented in the central news bulletin of SKAI just hours before the polls open for the leadership election, a four-way battle is emerging for two positions. Among those who declare they are certain or likely to vote, Nikos Androulakis holds a slight two-point lead over Anna Diamantopoulou, three points over Haris Doukas, and six points over Pavlos Geroulanos – indicating that all possibilities are open regarding who will make it to the second round.
Androulakis maintains a slightly stronger lead among those indicating their intention to vote for PASOK, which, according to the company’s estimate, now accounts for 15.5% of the electorate – though this does not mean they are inclined to participate in the electoral process on October 6. In this category, Doukas ranks second. Androulakis has an even stronger lead among the party’s voters in the European elections, with Diamantopoulou again in second place. It is noteworthy that the debate among the six candidates seems to have marginally affected voter sentiment.
The Metron Analysis poll suggests that in the second round of the election for PASOK, Anna Diamantopoulou will face off against Nikos Androulakis: According to respondents who are sure or likely to participate in Sunday’s process, the PASOK president has a lead with 27%, followed by the former Commissioner with 24%, while both Doukas and Geroulanos each register at 20%. Interestingly, in the question about the second round, only Pavlos Geroulanos appears to defeat Nikos Androulakis, who seems to be leading against both Diamantopoulou and Doukas.
The current leader of PASOK has chosen Patras to conclude his campaign today. Last night, he held his main pre-election speech in Kolokotronis Square, in front of the Old Parliament. “PASOK can win united, serious, reliable, and responsible,” began Nikos Androulakis, comparing his party’s “images” with those of New Democracy and SYRIZA: “See how we celebrated fifty years of PASOK at Zappeion. United, all the presidents, strongly, with the people of PASOK. And how is New Democracy celebrating today? Look at how our processes were conducted and what is happening in SYRIZA.”
He then referred to the progress made over the last two and a half years to argue that: “The victories were many, both in local government and in chambers and in society. Two and a half years, with a simple title: PASOK has returned. It has returned dynamically, and this Sunday we can reaffirm our trust for an even stronger future. Because we, who took the first steps of return, can make the big leap.”
Haris Doukas is touring Crete today, the last day before the polls. Specifically, he is scheduled to visit Chania and lay a wreath at the Venizelos’ tombs at 9 a.m. Then, at 10:40 a.m., he will meet friends and PASOK members in the center of Rethymno, and at 12:30 p.m., he will be in the center of Heraklion. Yesterday, the PASOK leadership candidate delivered his final pre-election speech in front of the First Ancient Theater of Larissa. “I have come to give you the message of hope for victory,” emphasized Haris Doukas, adding, “PASOK is here united and strong.” “It is a great honor to be in the heart of Greece, Larissa,” he said, addressing the citizens who were present, urging them “to close the circle of survival and open the circle of transcendence.”
During his speech in Larissa, where he was welcomed by the regional governor, Dimitris Koureta, the area MP, Evangelia Liakouli, Manolis Christodoulakis, who strongly supports his candidacy, and many local officials, Doukas appeared optimistic. Referring to what he tried to communicate about the primary sector during the debate among the six, he added meaningfully, “It’s okay; in the next debate, next week, we will say more.” Speaking about the PASOK of the “next day,” he emphasized that “those who betrayed us for the chair have no place among us. This applies to both those who went left and those who went right.”
Pavlos Geroulanos delivered a speech yesterday in Patras, in the presence of Nikos Papandreou, who has supported his candidacy for the leadership of PASOK from the beginning. “Now is our time. The time for rebirth. The time for the victory of our values. On October 6, I ask for your vote. With your trust, let’s make it to the second round. And I guarantee on October 13, a change of leadership in PASOK. I guarantee the beginning of a new path of victory for the Panhellenic Socialist Movement,” emphasized Geroulanos, addressing his audience in Patras. His associates noted among the attendees the presence of Andreas Karavolas, former mayor of Patras, Michalis Kitrou, a historic PASOK member and former secretary of Achaia Regional, candidate MP Olympia Loi, Theodoros Baris, mayor of Erymanthos, Stathis Seretis, former regional governor, Takis Trikogias, former deputy regional governor, and many distinguished doctors and academics. Surprisingly, according to Geroulanos’ associates, former regional governor Apostolos Katsifaras was also present, who, however, has attended events of other PASOK candidates.
Anna Diamantopoulou continues her visits and meetings with friends in Attica, where she closed her campaign with a speech at a central hotel in Athens, arguing about governability. As she has pointed out in all her speeches, the next president of PASOK will also be the next prime minister and can and must be a social democrat. When asked “who will you go with?”, the candidate replies that in the next national elections, when PASOK will be first and large, this question should be directed at other parties. As a former Commissioner and minister, she knows and describes the need to leverage knowledge and experience, and as many of her supporters add, “When Anna talks about a large and governing PASOK, she knows how and, most importantly, has a plan to achieve the goal.”
Michalis Katrinis, speaking to citizens of Western Greece, noted that: “My candidacy gathered 14,000 signatures from members and friends of PASOK. I hold mass events with the participation of hundreds of citizens across the country. I spoke at large rallies in Athens, Pyrgos, Peristeri, Patras, Thessaloniki, and Larissa.” He called on citizens “to empower a clear voice that dares to speak the truth – my proposal is the choice of rupture and hope.”
Nadia Giannakopoulou conducted her campaign with what she called “clear positions,” which she articulated straightforwardly before the European elections. Ms. Giannakopoulou has chosen to conclude her campaign in her electoral district, Western Athens, where she has scheduled meetings with her party friends today.
