Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is set to meet PASOK President Nikos Androulakis on Wednesday at the Maximos Mansion in a highly anticipated discussion following years of strained relations and political controversies between the two leaders.
The meeting comes after a prolonged period of tension most recently exacerbated by the wiretapping scandal, involving surveillance allegations linked to Predator spyware targeting Androulakis, severely impacted communication between the two parties. Androulakis recently filed a lawsuit against those responsible for the compromised communication, signaling that past grievances are far from forgotten.
Despite these challenges, both sides have expressed a desire to elevate the quality of political dialogue. Mitsotakis initiated the meeting, with his Chief of Staff Stelios Koutnatzis coordinating with PASOK’s Secretary Andreas Spiropoulos to finalize arrangements.
Strategic Goals for Both Leaders
For Mitsotakis, the meeting offers an opportunity to present PASOK as a credible dialogue partner in opposition, shifting focus away from SYRIZA, which he aims to portray as a relic of political crises. Meanwhile, Androulakis, now leading the main opposition party, seeks to leverage his institutional role to assert PASOK’s relevance and distance the party from its coalition-era controversies.
Mitsotakis approaches the dialogue from a position of strength, buoyed by a consistent 10-point lead in opinion polls despite electoral setbacks earlier this year. This meeting is also seen as a step towards reestablishing a tone of constructive discourse in Greek politics, an objective closely tied to the ruling New Democracy party’s long-term strategy.
Key Issues on the Agenda
Electoral Law Debate:
One focal point is likely to be the ongoing discussion about potential changes to Greece’s electoral law. Mitsotakis has firmly ruled out revising the law to grant additional electoral bonuses, while Androulakis has raised concerns about how the current system disadvantages coalitions like PASOK-KINAL, citing that the inclusion of George Papandreou’s Democratic Socialists Party prevents PASOK from qualifying for certain electoral benefits. Whether this issue will feature prominently in the meeting remains to be seen.
Presidency of the Republic:
Another critical, albeit indirect, topic is the selection of Greece’s next President of the Republic. While neither leader is expected to openly discuss their preferences, mutual probing on the matter is anticipated. Mitsotakis may seek insight into PASOK’s willingness to support candidates from various political backgrounds, including centrist or center-left figures, which could influence his decision-making.
Constructive Opposition:
A broader objective for the Prime Minister is to establish a new framework for public debate, emphasizing a departure from divisive politics. Mitsotakis aims to set the tone for collaboration on fundamental issues while leveraging PASOK’s status as an emerging opposition force to marginalize SYRIZA further.
