Reflection, internal disagreements, heated debates and harsh criticism of the leadership were recorded in the four-hour meeting of the Political Secretariat and the PASOK's CEC convened on Tuesday (20/1).
The diversification of Harry Doukas
Charis Doukas noted that the strategy so far has not yielded the expected results, underlining that the goal of first place is moving away. He stressed the need for honesty within the party, noting that a clear assessment of the current situation is needed.
He made a special reference to the forthcoming congress of the Pasok party, which he described as «redemptive», posing as a central political question whether the party clearly supports progressive governance with a leading role for the Pasok party.
At the same time, he warned of the danger that the party's position against any scenario of a coalition with New Democracy would be limited to a general formulation of a political declaration, without any real commitment. In this context, he advocated the need for a separate and explicit decision, which would commit the party to any future political scenario.
Dukas expressed his disagreement with the course of the PASOK so far and suggested that there should be an immediate decision plan for a change of strategy, aiming, as he said, at a new, victorious direction.
For his part, Nikos Androulakis asked why he insists on holding primaries, noting that they had been held in the past without positive results, with Mr.Doukas answering that, if they did not work, the question arises why they were included in the party's statute.
For his part, Nikos Androulakis asked why he insists on holding primaries, noting that they had been held in the past without positive results, with Mr.Doukas answering that, if they did not work, the question arises why they were included in the party's statute.
Intense dialogue between Androulakis and Geroulanou
According to reports, there was a heated dialogue between Nikos Androulakis and Pavlos Geroulanos.Pavlos Geroulanos reportedly said: «The planning has not come out. The time for change is now. I call for more frequent meetings of institutions.» Nikos Androulakis did not let the impeachment go unanswered, replying: «How can you be a parliamentarian and say we don't all decide together?».
In order to continue the dialogue, according to reports:
Geroulanos«I express my anguish. That the central institutions should meet more».
Androulakis: «All decisions were taken in the CO».
Geroulanos: «I tell you what I believe».
Anna Diamantopoulou, addressing Charis Doukas on the leaks to the press while the meeting of the CECS is taking place, reportedly said: «What are you doing? What are you doing? This is not a public meeting, it is a meeting of a party body.
If Harry Dukas replies: «Is it a secret? My positions are not secret.».
Annoyance Diamantopoulou with the leaks
According to sources, towards the end of the meeting, Anna Diamantopoulou, addressing Harry Doukas about the leaks to the press while the meeting of the CECS was taking place, reportedly said: «What are you doing? What are you doing? This is not a public meeting, it's a meeting of a party organ». In reply to Harry Dukas: «Is it a secret? My positions are not secret».
27-29 March Conference
Earlier, the President of the PASOK suggested holding a congress on March 27-29, while at the same time he sent a message to the party's inner circle to strengthen extroversion and not introversion. «We are constantly doing extrovert events, but we are constantly discussing individual issues. Stop the individual issues. They are not about society. They may be about some of you, they are not about society. The society is concerned about ports, energy , education, health,» he said.
The PASOK president pointed out that the Congress should become a political event and gave the assurance that it will be an open and institutional congress. «It will be a congress to expand the Democratic Party. And I define it as an enlargement and not a liquidation. With enormous struggles, PASOK has gone from very low percentages to percentages that give it a strong perspective. Others were liquidated, who tried to lock the PASOK into the dustbin of history. Not us,‘ Nikos Androulakis stressed.
He spoke of even more aggressive enlargement policies, stating that PASOK is an open party, inviting people from other parties to join. «We have always done this since 1974 until today, this is not the first time,» he noted and explained: «But what does it mean to discuss with other parties? At our conference there will be dialogue tables where I will invite other progressive parties to join us. I will invite other parties to join us. I said before Christmas that there must be a comprehensive approach, it is an issue that concerns society. At the conference, they will be able to come to the dialogue table on these important issues that we as the political secretariat will define - I give the example today of the issue of the Constitution, which we have discussed - and give their views. What they think should be amended, how it should be amended, so that there is a front of initiatives in the coming period.».
