Tensions are rising within PASOK amid disappointing polling figures, with senior party members openly voicing concern about the party’s trajectory ahead of the upcoming elections.
Pavlos Geroulanos warned that “the needle is stuck,” stressing that unless decisive action is taken in the next two months, it will be difficult for PASOK to regain momentum.
Anna Diamantopoulou also sparked a wave of reactions on social media after insisting that PASOK must remain an institutional party that brings concrete solutions to parliament. She emphasized that it cannot gradually drift into the role of a protest movement, “like Karystianou or Konstantopoulou.”
Meanwhile, Charis Doukas called for an immediate open congress, arguing that the party should officially decide not to enter into any post-election cooperation with New Democracy.
Nikos Androulakis, responding to the remarks made by party officials, refrained from commenting on the fact that PASOK’s internal bodies rarely meet to debate all viewpoints. However, he did not hide his discomfort over the ongoing “storm.” Speaking to OPEN, he noted:
“The fact that I come to the studio after a TIF where PASOK presented a comprehensive government program capable of bringing political change across all areas, and instead of discussing that, we are talking about what you just asked me, shows that certain statements are clearly moving in the wrong direction.”
A few hours later, however, Pavlos Geroulanos, speaking on Action24, stood by his initial position that the next two months will be decisive for PASOK’s trajectory and repeated his pointed warnings to the leadership. He echoed the concerns of veteran MP Paris Koukoulopoulos, who noted that “the window of opportunity for PASOK is small,” while also agreeing with the party leader that “we must all step on the gas and promote our program everywhere.”
Geroulanos believes that if all of this is not done in the near future then “the political system will find any way, especially after Christmas, to start pushing other solutions on the table.”
Asked what happens if the poll numbers don’t improve, Geroulanos replied:
“It’s very simple: Like you, if the poll numbers are not doing well, all three of you will get together and discuss what to do — that’s what we will do,” he added. “No executive can remain silent. Our job is to go out and fight for our party. That’s what we will do. It’s just that if certain things have not happened in the time frame we set, if the organs are not convened, if we don’t move to a substantive conference, then we will have to look at our strategy again.”
In yesterday’s GPO poll for STAR, PASOK garnered 12.3% (up from 11.2% on September 13) in the voting intention; Kyriakos Mitsotakis is considered the most suitable prime minister with 27.8%, followed by Nikos Androulakis with 10.4%. Asked whether they want a government of cooperation, 30.7% answered “yes, with ND as the backbone” and 29.2% answered “yes, with PASOK as the backbone”.
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