As PASOK's leadership race heats up, the six candidates are preparing for tonight’s highly anticipated televised debate, which could prove crucial ahead of the October 6 elections.
With the political climate growing more intense as the election date approaches, each contender is honing their strategies and picking their battles, informed by internal party dynamics and polling data. Communication teams have been working tirelessly, coaching the candidates on debate tactics, knowing that while a debate may not necessarily win the election, a single misstep could prove costly.
In the past 24 hours, Anna Diamantopoulou, one of the frontrunners, has come under increased scrutiny from her rivals after a recent poll showed her as a likely candidate to advance to the second round, where she could face off against current leader Nikos Androulakis.
Geroulanos Challenges Diamantopoulou's Leadership Credentials
Pavlos Geroulanos was the first to criticize Diamantopoulou, continuing his longstanding argument that PASOK’s next leader must be an elected member of parliament. Geroulanos has emphasized this point since the party's Central Committee meeting, repeatedly arguing that strong parliamentary leadership is essential for PASOK’s future.
Diamantopoulou Extends an Olive Branch
In an attempt to defuse the situation, Diamantopoulou responded with a conciliatory tone, suggesting potential collaboration rather than confrontation. “It’s important to maintain core values,” she said, referring to Geroulanos’s own statements about the need for both a party leader and a parliamentary leader. “If I win, why shouldn’t I lead the party while Mr. Geroulanos heads the parliamentary group? There’s room for cooperation—we can do it all.”
She also addressed criticisms that she has distanced herself from PASOK in recent years, insisting that she has remained committed to social democracy throughout her political career. “I haven’t gone anywhere for the past 12 years. I didn’t form another party, and I’ve remained steadfast in my principles,” she said.
However, Geroulanos quickly dismissed her overtures. In a social media post, he reiterated that those who stayed loyal to PASOK did so without bargaining for positions. “We didn’t stay in the party to negotiate for chairs,” he stated. Geroulanos also pointed out that past experiences with non-MP leadership had been damaging, adding, “The last time we had a leader who wasn’t in parliament, it cost us dearly. We saw the same with SYRIZA. Electing a non-MP as leader is a recipe for failure—do we really want to go down that path again?”
Androulakis Takes Aim at Diamantopoulou’s Approach
Nikos Androulakis, PASOK’s current leader, also responded to Diamantopoulou’s remarks during a rally in Lambrini, Athens, striking a more confrontational tone. “If some people think PASOK is a stepping stone for personal gain or future ambitions, they’re mistaken,” Androulakis said. “Unity is grounded in the party's base, not in dividing power among candidates.”
He reiterated his earlier call for all five of his rivals to commit publicly to remaining within PASOK and running on the party’s national ticket in the next elections, regardless of the leadership race outcome. “The elections will decide who leads this party, but after that, everyone should be on the ballot. If you aspire to lead the Democratic Party, you should also be ready to serve as an MP if you don’t win,” Androulakis emphasized, vowing to raise the issue during the debate and seeking a clear commitment from the other candidates.
Giannakopoulou Criticizes Early Power Plays
Nadia Giannakopoulou, another leadership contender, also weighed in, quickly aiming Diamantopoulou's remarks.
In a sharply worded social media post, she criticized what she saw as premature discussions about power-sharing.
“It seems some people can’t wait to start handing out positions and titles. This isn’t a vision for the future; it’s a throwback to the worst parts of our past,” she wrote, urging her fellow candidates to “get serious.”
As the debate looms, the stakes are higher than ever. While each candidate is aiming to showcase their vision for PASOK's future, the night could prove pivotal in determining the leadership race. With tensions simmering, any misstep or confrontation could significantly alter the dynamics of the contest in the critical final stretch before the vote.
By Angelos Moschovas