Former PM G. Papandreou announces start of Democrat Socialists’ Movement (Watch Live)

Watch former socialist PM G. Papandreou announce details of his new Movement live with Proto Thema

Former Greek prime minister George Papandreou, the son of PASOK party founder Andreas Papandreou, will unveil his intent to found a new political party at the Benaki Museum’s amphitheater at 5.30 p.m. on Saturday.

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Mr. Papandreou issued a written statement announcing that the New Year marks that “the time has come for the next great step for the country’s progressive forces”. He issued his intent to “build the new political home that will house progressive values, the values that united and still unite us.”

With these words he issued the call for participation in a Movement that he wants to respond to the “major wagers that concern the country and the Greek people”. He said his Movement would ensure the presence of “real forces of progress” in the next Parliament.

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Mr. Papandreou claims that these forces have “proved in practice” that Greece cannot overcome the crisis for good without real democratic reforms. He spoke of a “Greek Plan” and institutions that work with citizen participation. He said that the details of his movement would be formulated in an open, participatory congress to be decided after the elections on January 25.

Mr. Papandreou’s new party, according to a declaration signed by 252 individuals, is to be called “Democrat Socialists’ Movement”  and has a rose on a red background as its emblem.  Those who signed the declaration were PASOK ministers Philippos Petsalnikos, Michalis Karchimakis and his brother Nikos Papandreou.