With poll numbers remaining virtually stagnant, as Pavlos Geroulanos noted, concerns within PASOK over its electoral performance are growing — sparking a fresh wave of intense debate within the party.

Despite attempts to downplay Geroulanos’ remarks so as not to be accused of creating an intra-party issue, his statement — that “if poll numbers don’t move in the next two months, we will have trouble moving them until the elections” — continues to trouble other MPs and executives. Many believe opportunities for PASOK’s popular surge are not being fully exploited. Clarifying the party’s message is seen as more urgent than ever. Haris Dukas is calling for an immediate congress and a decision that PASOK will not cooperate with New Democracy after the elections. However, the elected bodies have not met in a long time, and Nikos Androulakis responded that the PASOK programme presented at the Thessaloniki International Fair (DETH) was the work of self-appointed leaders and members of the party’s Sections. Furthermore, the election of new bodies is pending since Androulakis’ re-election, as it requires a congress — now rumoured to take place before year’s end.

A brief social media statement by Haris Kastanidis outlines three causes of the problem, concluding with the strategic challenge: “1. The elected Political Council of PASOK has not met since June 2024; 2. The appointed Political Centre is inactive; 3. A secretary of the CECS was appointed without any members of the body! We need a party in motion, with institutions that define strategy.” Kastanidis has repeatedly criticised PASOK’s leadership and called for a meeting of the Political Council, of which he is an elected member. While he agrees with Androulakis’ public stance that PASOK must not give in to New Democracy after the elections, Kastanidis retains strong influence in Thessaloniki and is preparing to seek re-election against SYRIZA’s Rania Thraskia and Petros Pappas — possibly also against Anna Diamantopoulou, if her candidacy there is confirmed.

Within PASOK, there is a growing awareness of the warning issued a year ago by the late Kostas Simitis: “Opportunities are not infinite.” This makes Geroulanos’ comment about stagnant poll numbers all the more striking. An experienced party executive adds that with rumours of other political “players” — such as Alexis Tsipras launching a new party — entering the field, PASOK must act fast, work collectively, and prepare for electoral competition with a clear strategy against New Democracy. Otherwise, the opportunity for the desired surge in poll numbers could be lost.

Yesterday, Pavlos Geroulanos stressed that his main concern is broader mobilisation. “Have you seen many people fighting the battle as I have for PASOK to rise? If you say yes, give me names,” he told OPEN TV, underlining his sense of over-effort compared to other leaders last October. While Geroulanos usually avoids sharp public statements that might irritate party’s central office, he appears to be expressing his concerns privately to other party executives. “Let’s go out and support PASOK’s programme everywhere, so everyone knows what it stands for. My point is this: if you think we fear the polls, I will tell you the real test is the ballot box, not the polls. People want political change.” He added: “This is a critical moment for us — those seeking a solution must be convinced by our programme. To do that, the ground must be fertile, and there has never been more fertile ground than now. This is our job. Now is the opportunity. If we fight, poll numbers will move — they will not remain stuck.”

MPs are calling for more regular, detailed discussions and meetings of the parliamentary team to ensure a unified position on major issues. Executives of the Political Centre and the Political Council stress that the organs must function. Some recall that, on the anniversary of September 3, Yannis Vardakastanis spoke at the podium instead of the elected Secretary Andreas Spyropoulos. They question why, after Spyropoulos handed over duties to Vardakastanis.

When invited to comment last night on Action24 about concerns within PASOK, Nikos Androulakis stated simply: “I have nothing to answer to any PASOK executive, because these issues have already been addressed.” However, he emphasised that “throughout the summer, 34 policy areas were developed with hundreds of people working on a costed reform programme,” adding that “these teams can form part of the next government to address obstacles.” The PASOK leader stressed that “all PASOK cadres must fight for political change” and that “under no circumstances will we cooperate with New Democracy.”

Finally, it is only a matter of time before Filippou Sachinidis, former minister and current member of the Political Council, who has been sharply critical of the leadership since the European elections, publicly announces his positions on the centre-left.