PASOK is going through a difficult period as it tries to dispel a growing sense of panic triggered by polls that have “dethroned” it from second place. At the same time, internal disputes continue—against the backdrop of a potential Tsipras-led party—over possible post-election alliances.
The “stuck needle” is finally moving, and quickly downward. PASOK is recording significant losses in support, while its leader, Nikos Androulakis, once again scores very poorly in polls measuring suitability for prime minister. Internal tensions persist as party members disagree over strategic choices in response to intense competition from both the governing party and the emerging political movements associated with Alexis Tsipras and Maria Karystianou.
While Androulakis remains silent, remarks by Haris Doukas advocating dialogue now and possible cooperation with Alexis Tsipras after an initial election round have stirred controversy. Other party figures, including Anna Diamantopoulou, have reacted strongly, attempting to shut down discussion of any alliance with what she calls a “representative of populism.”
Tsipras Camp Responds
Commenting on Doukas’s statements regarding dialogue and cooperation between PASOK and ELAS, Giorgos Balatsoukas, deputy spokesperson for Alexis Tsipras’s ELAS party, told Parapolitika 90.1 radio:
“Mr. Doukas has thrown the ball into Mr. Androulakis’s court. The impression left is that PASOK must clarify whether it intends to focus solely on the Left or continue leaving open the possibility of cooperation with New Democracy—a strategy with which we completely disagree.”
Anna Diamantopoulou’s Position
Diamantopoulou, who has repeatedly emphasized PASOK’s achievements and the need for a reform-oriented plan for citizens, said in an interview that everyone in PASOK should focus on “how PASOK can win the battle it wants to win.”
She added that she sees no reason for PASOK to be discussing coalition scenarios at this stage:
“Our political opponent is New Democracy.”
She also described Alexis Tsipras as “a representative of populism” and argued that the positions of his prospective party remain unclear.
Asked whether Doukas’s remarks about possible cooperation with a Tsipras-led party should be grounds for expulsion, she replied that:
“Expulsions never bring any result.”
She added that she did not believe Doukas had intended to undermine the party.
According to Diamantopoulou, PASOK still has comparative advantages that can help it respond to poor polling and appeal both to voters seeking stability and to those wanting to protest.
A Strategy to Attract Disillusioned ND Voters
Giorgos Sakellion, a member of PASOK’s Central Committee and political ally of Diamantopoulou, argued that PASOK’s goal should be:
“To attract New Democracy voters: moderates, centrists, reformists—those who once rallied around Kyriakos Mitsotakis but now feel disappointed. Only this can create genuine momentum for victory.”
He also criticized Doukas’s comments, arguing that many voters supported Mitsotakis specifically to remove Tsipras from power and prevent his return.
“Any discussion of cooperation with a new Tsipras party does not bring these voters closer to PASOK; on the contrary, it pushes them back toward New Democracy.”
Political Council Meeting Postponed
PASOK’s loss of second place in the polls undermines the party’s recent narrative that it could achieve victory “even by one vote.” The return of Alexis Tsipras to the political scene is creating disruptions and reshuffling the political landscape in ways PASOK finds difficult to manage.
Senior party officials are reportedly expecting Androulakis to take initiatives quickly to halt the party’s decline in the polls, ideally within June.
Particularly alarming was an Opinion Poll survey for Action 24 that placed PASOK in fourth place—behind Maria Karystianou’s “Hope” party as well.
The Political Council meeting scheduled for tomorrow has been postponed until Friday. According to reports, the delay is not intended to await more polling data or to create distance from Doukas’s controversial comments. Instead, party leaders are expected to spend the coming days assigning responsibilities to Political Council members.
PASOK’s strategy in the new political environment is expected to dominate the agenda of the meeting.
Party officials continue to argue that PASOK’s policy program remains its strongest asset and the foundation for a hoped-for relaunch. During June, the party also plans to announce parliamentary candidates in most electoral districts and establish a “shadow cabinet” to challenge the ND government more effectively.
The party also considers more frequent meetings of its parliamentary group essential, especially because this is one arena where Tsipras’s ELAS and Karystianou’s Hope movement currently lack representation.
What the Polls Show
Beyond declining vote shares, PASOK faces a serious image problem due to Androulakis’s weak ratings as a potential prime minister.
According to the Opinion Poll survey:
- PASOK lost four percentage points in one month.
- Alexis Tsipras scored 13.2% on suitability for prime minister.
- Maria Karystianou scored 7.7%.
- Nikos Androulakis scored only 4.8%.
- Zoe Konstantopoulou and Kyriakos Velopoulos followed with 3.8% and 3.7%, respectively.
- Tsipras rose from 9.9% to 13.2% in one month.
- Karystianou rose from 5.1% to 7.7%.
- Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis remained far ahead with 29%, while “None of the Above” ranked second with 21.6%.
Government Reactions
Government officials have also entered the debate, highlighting what they describe as the fragmentation of the center-left and the competition among opposition parties for second place.
Health Minister and ND Vice President Adonis Georgiadis argued:
“Part of PASOK says the two parties should form a front and decide the leader based on electoral strength. But under the electoral law, an alliance of parties does not receive the bonus seats. For that to happen, PASOK would have to dissolve itself and merge with Tsipras’s ELAS.”
He claimed that Doukas’s proposal effectively points toward PASOK’s dissolution and absorption into a Tsipras-led political project.
At the same time, Georgiadis praised Diamantopoulou as “a serious politician” and predicted that Androulakis cannot expel Doukas because:
“Doukas would simply go to Tsipras.”
Georgiadis also repeated his prediction that Tsipras will ultimately secure second place because he outperforms Androulakis in direct comparisons.
Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis struck a different tone. While attacking Tsipras over the 2015 referendum, he also emphasized that without the support of both ND and PASOK lawmakers during Greece’s financial crisis:
“Greece would today be outside the European Union.”
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