In a heated debate on Tuesday night, the six candidates vying for the leadership of PASOK faced off in a televised discussion, marked by sharp exchanges and pointed criticism.
The debate, broadcast live from the state-run ERT studio, lasted three hours and featured moments of intense disagreement, as the candidates aimed to highlight their strengths and expose their opponents' weaknesses.
The debate comes ahead of the party’s internal elections, set for October 6, with a potential run-off on October 13 if needed.
The six candidates — Nikos Androulakis, Pavlos Geroulanos, Nadia Giannakopoulou, Anna Diamantopoulou, Haris Doukas, and Michalis Katrinis — presented their visions for the future of PASOK, but the debate frequently turned combative.
While the tone remained civil overall, the strategic rivalries were clear, with candidates carefully targeting each other’s vulnerabilities.
One of the most intense moments of the evening came toward the end, with a personal clash between Haris Doukas and Nikos Androulakis.
Doukas criticized Androulakis for failing to activate key party mechanisms, while Androulakis retorted sharply, stating, "You’re neither Mitterrand nor Erdoğan, and thank goodness for that." Doukas fired back, accusing Androulakis of sidelining him after previously supporting his candidacy for mayor of Athens.
The confrontation between Geroulanos and Androulakis over red loans and economic policy was another notable moment, while Diamantopoulou sparred with Doukas over alliances in Athens, and with Androulakis over education reform.
The debate also saw Giannakopoulou challenge Androulakis on internal party dynamics, accusing him of not effectively utilizing party bodies.
Despite the often confrontational nature of the debate, none of the candidates made any major missteps that could significantly harm their electoral prospects. However, the exchanges gave insight into possible alliances and strategies that could shape the second round of voting.
Androulakis appeared well-prepared, although visibly irritated by persistent attacks from Giannakopoulou. His responses were generally considered strong, but the pressure was evident. Doukas, meanwhile, sought to rally PASOK’s left-wing supporters and emphasized the need for hope and change within the party, despite being caught in several heated confrontations with other candidates.
Michalis Katrinis focused on national issues and the future direction of PASOK, maintaining a high-energy approach throughout the debate. His consistent criticism of Androulakis showcased his determination to challenge the current leadership.
While the debate showcased the divisions within PASOK, it also generated a positive response on social media, with many praising the civility of the discourse despite the disagreements.
This has raised expectations for a strong turnout in the upcoming internal elections, as party members prepare to choose the future leader of one of Greece’s most historic political parties.
The first round of voting will take place on October 6, and if no candidate secures a majority, a second round will be held on October 13 to determine the next leader of PASOK.