PASOK is entering a critical phase following its Congress, with party officials anticipating the formation of a new strategic framework ahead of the upcoming electoral period. The new leadership team is expected to be elected on Sunday during the first meeting of the Central Committee, where the party’s electoral orientation will be defined.

Senior party figures believe that the electoral cycle has effectively begun, regardless of whether national elections take place in the coming months or in 2027. Emphasis is therefore placed on the development of a coherent plan aimed at achieving a dynamic political relaunch. At the same time, the emergence of new political actors, such as Alexis Tsipras and Maria Karystianou, is expected to intensify competition, requiring rapid strategic responses in order for PASOK to maintain a leading position within the opposition. Party officials are closely monitoring polling trends, while continuing a strategy of sustained political pressure against the government, which, despite recent declines, retains a significant lead.

The race for the Secretary position

The role of party Secretary is considered pivotal during the electoral period, as it entails multiple organizational and political responsibilities. For this reason, the selection of the candidate to be proposed by Nikos Androulakis to the Central Committee remains a complex decision.

Several potential candidates have been discussed, while others have been excluded due to statutory incompatibilities between the position of Secretary and candidacy in parliamentary elections. Names emerging from the party’s organizational and pre-congress processes include Heracles Droulias, Nikos Daskalakis, Yiannis Vardakastanis, and Nikos Milis. However, current internal dynamics appear to favor a figure with a strong public presence and the ability to maintain communication across internal party factions, such as the current press spokesperson, Kostas Tsoukalas.

According to party sources, the final decision regarding the Secretary is imminent, with the leadership aiming for a broadly accepted candidate capable of securing wide internal support. Should Tsoukalas be nominated, alternative arrangements for the position of spokesperson—potentially involving Dimitris Mantzos—are under consideration. Nonetheless, the possibility of a different candidate being selected remains open until the final decision is announced.

Composition of the Political Council

Attention is also focused on the formation of the 23-member Political Council, which will operate under the leadership of the party President and Secretary. It is expected that five Members of Parliament—Manolis Christodoulakis, Pavlos Geroulanos, Michalis Katrinis, Pavlos Christidis, and Milena Apostolaki—will participate, in accordance with party statutes.

Among non-parliamentary members, prominent figures such as Charis Doukas and Anna Diamantopoulou are anticipated to be included. Additional names under consideration span various internal party groups, reflecting an effort to maintain internal balance and representation.

Former Secretary Kostas Skandalidis is expected to assume a coordinating role related to party expansion, while Petros Lambrou is likely to participate as head of the electoral committee. Given the possibility of elections being called as early as autumn, preparations at the organizational level are intensifying, including the early formation of electoral lists, which will ultimately require approval by the Central Committee.

PASOK’s position on recent government measures

PASOK continues to prioritize its opposition strategy, particularly in response to recently announced economic measures by the government, which it characterizes as insufficient and short-term in nature. Party officials argue in favor of structural, institutional interventions rather than temporary financial support measures.

Criticism focuses on issues such as fuel taxation, where PASOK advocates for reductions in excise duties in line with other EU member states, as well as housing policy, highlighting concerns that current rent support measures are inadequate in the face of rapidly increasing prices. Similar objections are raised regarding one-off financial support for families and pensioners, with PASOK proposing more comprehensive and permanent policy solutions, including targeted support for low-income pensioners and broader debt regulation mechanisms for small businesses.

In response to online criticism directed at the party leadership, PASOK maintains that such attacks ultimately reinforce the consistency of Nikos Androulakis’ long-standing positions against clientelism, emphasizing his commitment to institutional integrity and reform.