The question of who could challenge Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has been a frequent topic in both public debates and, reportedly, private discussions among center-left party members and officials.
In Greece’s left-leaning political landscape, the idea of uniting progressive forces has gained traction.
SYRIZA and the New Left see such an alliance as both a public demand and the only way to counter New Democracy’s electoral dominance. SYRIZA president Sokratis Famellos has publicly called for unity among progressive parties, arguing that division within the center-left only strengthens the ruling New Democracy party.
PASOK ostensibly remains committed to an independent course, with leader Nikos Androulakis insisting the party will not join a coalition.
Androulakis, in a televised interview, dismissed Famellos’ proposal. He maintained that merging parties would ultimately reduce their influence, inadvertently aiding New Democracy. Instead, he argued for the need for concrete policy solutions, arguing that the Greek public seeks clear proposals for improving their lives rather than political maneuvering.
However, according to To Vima, behind closed doors some PASOK members are starting to advocate for collaboration among center-left parties as the only viable path forward.
Adding to the political uncertainty, To Vima reports that speculation regarding the return of former Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has resurfaced. Tsipras is rumored to be contemplating a political comeback as part of a broader effort to revitalize the progressive movement. Though his political stature is not what it once was, and he has distanced himself from key figures within the center-left. Additionally, PASOK’s base has historically resisted his leadership, making it unlikely that he could unify the broader center-left coalition.
