As the gap between PASOK and ELAS narrows and transforms into a neck-and-neck race for second place, the clash between Harilaou Trikoupi Street and Amalias Avenue is intensifying. Their rivalry operates on multiple levels — from competing policy platforms and accusations of idea-stealing, to an aggressive battle over attracting prominent figures. PASOK is recruiting members who had previously found shelter in SYRIZA and its various splinter factions, while ELAS is showing excessive enthusiasm in courting figures with strong “green credentials.”
Read also: Evangelos Apostolakis: From minister under Tsipras, nearly minister under Mitsotakis, independent MP — and now joining PASOK
Androulakis opens the doors
Nikos Androulakis appears willing to throw open the doors and windows of Harilaou Trikoupi, sending a clear message that anyone who accepts the party’s positions is welcome in PASOK. His close associates are quick to clarify, however, that this does not automatically translate into a place on the ballot, since there is a significant difference between declaring support for PASOK and actually receiving the party’s candidacy endorsement. This clarification is primarily connected to the case of Giannis Michelogianakis, which has caused considerable buzz. The former MP has publicly stated that he has expressed his intention to run as a candidate in the Heraklion constituency — something PASOK has neither confirmed nor denied. What is confirmed, however, is that official announcements regarding new additions of independent MPs are expected in the coming days.
The first to officially join PASOK will be Admiral Evangelos Apostolakis, with sources indicating he will stand as a candidate in Piraeus A’. The joining of Nina Kasimati is also considered imminent, as she has reached full agreement with Nikos Androulakis and is set to run as a candidate in Piraeus B’. These two additions will, by definition, strengthen PASOK in two constituencies where the party is particularly weak and in desperate need of high-profile names. During October, Myrto Korovesi is also expected to join the “green” parliamentary group. She will run as a candidate in Eastern Attica and enjoys widespread support within PASOK, given her notably strong parliamentary track record. The cases of Giota Poulou and Theodora Tzakri, however, appear to remain pending for different reasons. Ms. Poulou, who is elected in Boeotia, has yet to make a final decision, despite having had official contact with party headquarters.
Regarding Ms. Tzakri, the delay is connected to a provision in PASOK’s party constitution concerning the number of terms MPs may serve. It is estimated, however, that a workable formula will ultimately be found, and that she will run as a candidate in the Pella constituency, where she has been continuously elected since 2004. In the meantime, Androulakis is under mounting pressure to proceed immediately with announcing his parliamentary candidates.
Announcements of “fresh” candidates are coming
The time for new faces has arrived for ELAS as well, and it will unfold in two stages. The first involves adding more “fresh” figures to the panels representing the party in public debate, while the second concerns the formal announcement of parliamentary candidates. Within the coming days, a meeting chaired by Mr. Tsipras will finalize the timeline for official announcements, with sources indicating this will happen toward the end of the month or, at the latest, in early November. Messrs. Vasileiadis and Hatzigianakis have already drawn up the list of candidacies and are awaiting Tsipras’s final approval.
The list consists primarily of figures who currently represent the party on political panels, as well as sector coordinators who wish to test themselves at the ballot box. It is estimated that approximately 50% of the candidates who will fill ELAS’s ballot slips will be announced at this stage, with the key question being whether the MPs who resigned their seats — or those who are former MPs — will be included in the initial announcements.
The most notable pending case is that of Efi Achtsoglou, whose constituency has yet to be finalized. Other pending cases include those of Kostas Zachariadis (Northern Sector), Giorgos Karameros (Eastern Attica), Symeon Kedikoglou (Euboea), and Vassilis Kokkalis (Larissa), among others. Among the central figures set to be announced are Dionysis Teboneras, Ioanna Laliotou, and Giorgos Krikris in the Southern Sector; Anna Papadopoulou in the Western Sector; Pausanias Papageorgiou and Haris Mavroudes in the Northern Sector; Thodoris Mantas and Fani Giotaki in Athens A’; Giorgos Ioakimidis in Piraeus B’; Antonis Saoulidis in Thessaloniki A’; Nikos Nyfoudis in Thessaloniki B’; Kostas Karpouchtsis in Serres; Giorgos Balatsoulas in Trikala; and Marinos Skandamis in Achaia. At the same time, the green light has been given — following the appropriate preparation — for Fotini Pagkalou, Giorgos Konstantinidis, Christina Tsagli, Kyveli Marda, Roza Vrettou, Argyris Beteniotis, Giannis Salpeas, Dimitris Ntafopulos, and Nikos Moutsakis, among others, to begin representing ELAS on political panels.
Originally published in Apogevmatini tis Kyriakis
