Final Round of PASOK Leadership Vote Underway

The second and final round of elections for the leadership of Greece’s Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) began at 7 a.m. today. Voters will decide between incumbent party leader Nikos Androulakis, a former European Parliament deputy who has led PASOK for two and a half years, and Athens Mayor Haris Doukas, an engineering professor specializing in energy policy at the National Technical University of Athens.

Both candidates advanced from last Sunday’s initial round, which saw a strong turnout of over 300,000 voters. Androulakis secured 29.64% of the vote, while Doukas garnered 21.64%.

Both contenders cast their votes early today, making their final appeals to the electorate. Androulakis emphasized optimism, stating, “Today, we look to the future with optimism. The difficult times are behind us, and the best is yet to come. I once again ask for your trust in a great, progressive, democratic movement that will meet the new aspirations of the Greek people—for a stronger homeland and a fairer society.”

Doukas, voting at the Cultural Center of the Municipality of Athens, highlighted: “Participation is our strength. Today, we have the chance to change direction, as long as we all come together for a strong, open, and victorious PASOK. Today, we transform PASOK and give hope to the country. Today, we vote for change.”

Voters who participated in last Sunday’s election can cast their ballots until 7 pm tonight to decide the leader of Greece’s main opposition party. Preliminary results are expected by around 9 pm.