PASOK lawmaker Alexandros Avlonitis has insisted that the Greek opposition party should engage in post-election coalition talks with former Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and SYRIZA.
The lawmaker said he would resign from politics if PASOK enters a coalition government with the ruling center-right New Democracy party following future parliamentary elections.
Speaking to the Greek television channel OPEN on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, Avlonitis explicitly named SYRIZA, Alexis Tsipras, New Left, and MeRA25, provided MeRA25 secures seats in parliament, as potential coalition partners.
The interview followed earlier comments from Avlonitis that sparked debate within PASOK shortly after he joined the party, when he suggested dialogue with Tsipras's Greek Left Coalition, SYRIZA, and Course of Freedom.
PASOK, formally known as the Panhellenic Socialist Movement, is a traditional center-left political party in Greece headquartered on Harilaou Trikoupi Street in Athens. SYRIZA, the Coalition of the Radical Left, served as the main governing party from 2015 to 2019 under Tsipras, who led the left-wing bloc before stepping down.
Post-election coalition scenarios
The debate intensified after interviewer Nikos Stravelakis presented a hypothetical scenario in which New Democracy wins the largest share of the vote without an absolute majority, followed by Tsipras in second place and PASOK in third place.
Asked if he would speak with the former prime minister under those circumstances, Avlonitis responded that political parties must respect the results of a second election and explore cooperation with aligned center-left forces.
Avlonitis said that if a democratic party is called to form a government after a repeat vote, its leadership has a duty to listen to the mandate expressed by voters at the ballot box.
Official sources at PASOK headquarters on Harilaou Trikoupi quickly rejected coalition speculation, reiterating that the party's official position remains strict political autonomy and securing first place in the elections.
Rejection of ruling party alliance
Avlonitis expressed firm opposition to any agreement with the governing party, stating that if PASOK forms a coalition with New Democracy, he will return home.
He argued that allying with the government PASOK currently opposes would directly contradict the party's ideological foundation, policy program, and national conference resolutions.
Responding to media reports suggesting he had backed down from his earlier statements, Avlonitis denied recanting his views, saying he had merely added further explanation.
Party line and internal debate
Avlonitis said media outlets had exaggerated his initial remarks regarding potential political alliances.
When asked how he would respond if his views conflicted with official party policy, Avlonitis pushed back against demands for conformity, asking whether lawmakers were expected to remain silent.
He stated that he is not a mouthpiece and argued that PASOK should remain open to post-election talks with SYRIZA while simultaneously campaigning to win the election.
Avlonitis maintained that promoting the party's program to win voter support and keeping open the possibility of post-election cooperation are complementary goals.
