Renewing his criticism of PASOK’s internal functioning, Pavlos Geroulanos stresses the need for an “explosion of democracy” within the party, suggesting that the key milestone for this renewal should be the upcoming party congress.

Geroulanos — who has repeatedly warned that if PASOK’s polling “needle” remains stuck until Christmas, the party must thoroughly review its electoral strategy — reiterated that the congress should be held soon. He has proposed March 21 as a suitable date, though no final decision has yet been made.

“Right now, a congress gives you the opportunity to make changes — to the statutes, the way the party operates, how it takes positions,” he said yesterday on Action24. “Even a highly democratic, center-left party — though I don’t much like the term — in Europe today can still make a real burst of democracy.”

Asked whether PASOK is currently experiencing such an “explosion of democracy,” meaning more open debate and frequent meetings of party bodies, he replied bluntly: “No.”

Referring to last week’s first meeting of the Congress Political Secretariat at PASOK headquarters on Charilaou Trikoupis Street, Geroulanos noted:

“During our initial meeting, all the members made very constructive suggestions on how things can be improved — particularly regarding how the party functions.”

Calls for more frequent meetings have also come from Haris Doukas and Anna Diamantopoulou, who both spoke yesterday at an event on tourism co-organized by the City of Athens and the Network for Reform, which Diamantopoulou leads.

Doukas has advocated an open dialogue with progressive forces — even with Alexis Tsipras’s new party, if it materializes — emphasizing that PASOK’s independent course “does not mean isolation.” He has also called for a clear “no” vote at the congress against any post-election cooperation with New Democracy.

Geroulanos agrees on maintaining dialogue with progressive forces. Diamantopoulou, however, disagrees with Doukas’s proposal for a congress vote on this issue, arguing that “decisions cannot be taken without first knowing the electoral balance of power.”

Meanwhile, the first meeting of the Congress Organizing Secretariat is expected today, during which the date and framework of the process will be discussed.

Within PASOK, many members share Geroulanos’s concerns about stagnant polling numbers, viewing them as a reflection of political reality — with the party still trailing New Democracy by a wide margin.

Another potential obstacle is PASOK’s stance toward any new party that Alexis Tsipras may form, as he seeks backing from both center-left and centrist circles.

“The key question in the next elections will be whether Greece will enter a new era or remain stuck in the old one,” said PASOK spokesman Kostas Tsoukalas. “And ‘more of the same’ means relying on people who have already been tried and tested in too many roles. The country needs a leap forward — a flight to the future with modern policies. Going back to the same figures and failed policies does nothing to help.”

At this stage, PASOK’s leadership is focusing on promoting its policy program and strengthening ties with rural Greece.

“Without a strong primary sector, the Greek countryside will fade away,” party leader Nikos Androulakis said during yesterday’s farmers’ rally in Athens. “Instead of supporting farmers and livestock producers, the government has pushed them to their limits. By October 31, every other EU country had paid its basic payments — but our farmers are still missing half a billion euros. Including last year’s arrears, the unpaid total reaches one billion.”

“Production costs have risen by around 40% in several key areas,” he continued. “OPEKEPE has become a hub of corruption — the Prime Minister bears full responsibility. The ELGA framework remains unrevised, and the primary sector is at risk. That’s why we’re here today — to stand by farmers and livestock breeders against New Democracy’s incompetence and corruption. The country needs political change and a comprehensive plan, because for PASOK, the primary sector is a national priority.”