The PASOK Congress concluded with a spirit of unity, adopting a clear “no” to post-election cooperation with New Democracy.

Term limits for MPs, MEPs, and trade union leaders were approved, while the number of members in the Central Committee and Political Council was reduced.

PASOK/KINAL is now transforming into a single party, with former factions now represented as tendencies—a change seen as significant for the electoral bonus.

For the first time, 13 regional councils will be elected, while ex-Secretaries, the Mayor of Athens, and the party’s regional governors will become ex officio members of the Central Committee.

As the vote count continues, the leadership and members of PASOK have their eyes on the ballots at the Taekwondo venue.

Early Trends

With roughly 25% of votes counted for the election of the 271 members of the Central Committee, the top ten appear to be (order changing constantly): Kostas Tsoukalas, Thanasis Glavinas, Lefteris Karchimakis, Anna Diamantopoulou, Christos Kaklamanis, Olga Markogiannaki, Kostas Papadimitriou, Iraklis Droulias, Mara Koukoudaki, Giorgos Papavasileiou, and Giannis Raptis. Other presidential faction candidates such as Nikos Daskalakis, Michalis Aerakis, and Vasilis Skountis are also polling high. The rankings continue to shift as votes from different regions are counted.

Experienced party officials estimate that counting may conclude late Monday. Until then, the composition of not only the top ten but all 506 candidates vying for 271 seats may change. Final results will be adjusted to account for quotas—33% for women, 10% for youth.

In any case, the presidential faction is expected to secure the majority in the Central Committee, which will then elect the new Political Council and Secretary. Presidential supporters are projected to elect roughly 160 members. Opposition tendencies, led by Manolis Christodoulakis, are also aiming to secure a strong presence nationwide, with candidates such as Tonia Antoniou, Manolis Annetis, Giorgos Anagnostou, Grigoris Katsilas, and Vasia Anastasiou gaining momentum. Other notable members include Haris Doukas, Pavlos Geroulanos, Michalis Katrinis, and Pavlos Christidis.

Political Concessions and Maneuvers

The Congress closed with all sides attempting to maintain a climate of unity, recognizing the upcoming electoral period. Two major leadership concessions helped pass the resolutions unanimously on Saturday evening:

1. Adoption of Haris Doukas’ proposal for a clear “no” to post-election cooperation with New Democracy.
2. Nikos Androulakis’ withdrawal of a proposal to hold a pre-election Congress before the leadership vote.

These moves removed potential conflicts and allowed smooth passage of the statutory amendments.

Key Structural Changes

• PASOK/KINAL formally becomes a single party.
• Term limits: MPs—five full terms (20 years), MEPs—three terms (15 years), trade union leaders—four terms (16 years).
• Central Committee was reduced from 300 to 271 members; the Political Council from 31 to 23.
• 13 regional councils were elected for the first time.
• Ex officio members include former Secretaries, the Mayor of Athens, and regional governors.

Current ex officio members may include Haris Doukas, Crete’s Governor Stavros Arnaoutakis, and Thessaly’s Governor Dimitris Kouretas.