“I am in line with PASOK, I have been for many years, and I’ve proven it with my statement,” said former minister and current member of PASOK’s Central Political Committee, Katerina Batzeli, one day after being referred to the Ethics Committee for calling the party’s announcement about “13-0 Nikos Pappas” “toxic.

Her referral has sparked an “internal war” between the party’s factions, causing tension at the top level. However, speaking to OPEN, Batzeli insisted that she is acting in line with the party and does not believe in “the paper war of press releases.”

“The statement made is that PASOK, which is a historic party, one that has demonstrated democracy, reconciliation, and social consensus, should be noble and dynamic in its political discourse, even if the statement from the other side, like Mr. Pappas’ comment, is provocative,” she noted.

“I won’t become Iphigenia,” Batzeli declared, insisting that PASOK should move forward dynamically, not with a logic of silence, but with a laboratory-like approach.

“There was a call from Mr. Famellos for a unified ballot. Since I am a political figure with many years of experience, I have clear opinions. I disagree with the artificial approach being made between these two parties (meaning SYRIZA and PASOK). I stick to the line of my party that PASOK should run independently in the elections, dynamically, securing or fighting for all the social forces of the center-left,” she said.

Referring to her referral to the Ethics Committee, the former minister emphasized that the matter will be discussed—what was said and how. “I feel great security being part of a space like PASOK. I also trust the way political bodies work and the decision-making process,” she stressed. She has already provided explanations, as requested, to the party’s secretary, Andreas Spyropoulos. “I think I will be informed about where I was not convincing,” she added.

When asked about the statements of support from allies of Haris Doukas, whom she had supported during the internal party process, Batzeli commented that the mayor of Athens “issued the statement he felt was necessary as a political figure from the political center.”

“What matters is that through me, let calm return within the party, and let us focus on the fact that the next day belongs to the whole of PASOK,” she concluded.