PASOK leadership race and developments in the Middle East in the spotlight
The leadership race in the socialist PASOK party and its implications for the center-left will dominate this week’s political agenda as the party heads into a runoff election next Sunday.
The pre-election campaign has benefited the party by increasing its visibility and generating wider interest in its electoral process, without damaging it with toxic conflicts. Due to its position in the political system, PASOK, which has already established itself in second place in the polls, has a de facto special role and its internal party election is not only about itself and its voters, but will affect the next day of the party system.
At the same time, SYRIZA remains mired in toxic infighting and introspection. New Democracy’s 50th birthday last Friday was overshadowed by the absence of two former prime ministers, Antonis Samaras and Costas Karamanlis.
Greece and Cyprus are closely following the escalation in the Middle East, concerned about new migration flows and terrorist threats.
Middle East tensions
Monday marks one year since Hamas orchestrated a terrorist attack against Israel, killing some 1,200 people and kidnapping 251. Since then, more than 41,870 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, as the war has become a regional one.
Greece and Cyprus are bracing for a potential wave of uncontrolled migration and terrorist threats as they continue to evacuate citizens from Lebanon.
As the crisis escalates, Greek authorities are considering increasing the capacity of existing refugee facilities, which currently house about 3,000 people. Officials are also reviewing security plans at migrant detention centers to prepare for potential violence.
The Cypriot government fears that its agreement with Lebanon to manage migration flows could collapse if Beirut’s political system collapses, leading to a new surge in flows, as some two million migrants are on the Lebanese coast trying to escape to Europe, often via Cyprus.
PASOK
Incumbent leader Nikos Androulakis will face Athens Mayor Haris Doukas for the party leadership next Sunday. Androulakis’ lead of about 8 percentage points from the second round is significant, but not enough to guarantee an easy victory in the second round.
Last night will be remembered for the incredible contest for second place between Doukas and MP and former minister Pavlos Geroulanos, which was ultimately decided by just 858 votes.
Geroulanos’ performance suggests that he could play a key role in the party’s post-election team. On Sunday night, he refrained from endorsing either Doukas or Androulakis.
Doukas performed poorly in Athens, coming in third just a year after his surprise victory in the mayoral elections, putting him on the defensive.
SYRIZA
The main opposition SYRIZA remains completely divided, with party members constantly attacking each other. Developments suggest that the next split is imminent, regardless of who is elected party leader.
The party’s central committee was acrimonious over the weekend, with members close to ousted leader Stefanos Kasselakis walking out of the meeting after formally submitting his candidacy.
New Democracy
The absence of the two former prime ministers from New Democracy’s birthday party reinforced the feeling that an internal opposition has begun to form autonomously in the ruling party. For unknown reasons, MEP and former party leader Evangelos Meimarakis was also absent.
“I did my duty, I invited them personally,” Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said in an interview.
Tempe train crash
The Association of relatives of the victims of the Tempe train crash will hold on Friday a memorial concert at the Panathenaic Stadium to honor the 57 people who died in February 2023. The concert takes place amid controversy, particularly regarding the ticket price.
