PASOK marks 50th anniversary with renewed call for progressive leadership in Greece

The consensus that PASOK must once again play a leading role in Greece’s center-left defined Tuesday evening’s event at the Zappeion commemorating the 50th anniversary of the founding of the socialist party. This sentiment, however, was expressed in varying tones and with different references to history.

PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis delivered a unifying speech, while also criticizing the conservative New Democracy government. “After a decade-long economic ordeal, the Greek people truly expected better days,” he said. “There is no vision, no plan. They proceed unrepentantly, focused solely on maintaining power.” He described the center-right doctrine as: “the economy decides, politics executes, and society submits.”

Androulakis continued, “So don’t ask who PASOK’s opponent is: Our political opponent is New Democracy, whose policies are plunging citizens into despair. Only PASOK can open the door wide and usher out Mr Mitsotakis and his clique. Victory over conservatism will come through policy proposals, ethics and consistency. The road ahead is not paved with rose petals, but it is the only path.”

He also emphasized the importance of PASOK’s political autonomy. “The unity, political autonomy and renewal of our movement are no longer in question. We achieved this together in three consecutive elections. PASOK is here, united and stronger than at any time in the past 10 years. No one is asking anymore who we will form a coalition with. Instead, we are being entrusted with the responsibility to bring hope to the Greek people and provide a way out of New Democracy’s disastrous governance.”

‘PASOK honors its history, but it must not be a party of nostalgia; it must be the party of the future’

Former prime minister Costas Simitis, who served from 1996 to 2004, also highlighted the need for PASOK to lead in shaping Greece’s political future. “Today, more than ever, the progressive world is seeking answers and, above all, a path forward to regain hope. PASOK is working towards this, but it must lead by offering a vision for progressive reconstruction. This is an opportunity, and opportunities are not endless,” Simitis said, concluding, “We can fight now to succeed.”

George Papandreou, the son of PASOK founder Andreas Papandreou and prime minister from 2009 to 2011, echoed this call to action. “History is once again calling – and challenging – the forces of PASOK to rise to the occasion. In a new awakening, a peaceful green revolution, and dynamic unity that will open up new prospects for progressive forces and for Greece,” he said.

“The time has come again to reconnect with the principles, values and ideals that set us apart from conservatism and make us essential for the country. With a modern, innovative, anti-systemic and radical political approach,” Papandreou urged, calling on progressive citizens to join “a democratic green revolution.”

In his address, Evangelos Venizelos, former PASOK leader and deputy prime minister from 2011 to 2015, argued that PASOK “must reemerge by proposing a new social contract – a comprehensive plan for the country.” He emphasized that raising the party’s electoral percentages should evolve into a strategy for political dominance.

“This requires a comprehensive plan that addresses the anxieties of a society facing risk and insecurity. PASOK honors its history, but it must not be a party of nostalgia; it must be the party of the future,” Venizelos said.

Meanwhile, a public survey released earlier Tuesday showed PASOK polling in second place with 13%, more than two points ahead of the leftist SYRIZA. The poll also measured voting intentions for the party’s upcoming leadership elections in October. Among PASOK voters, Androulakis leads with 29.2%, followed closely by Athens Mayor Haris Doukas at 26.4%. Anna Diamantopoulou holds 15.4%, while Pavlos Geroulanos polls at 14.8%, with the remaining candidates below 5%. In a potential second-round matchup, Doukas leads Androulakis by 3.4%, with 45.7% of the vote compared to Androulakis’ 42.9%.