PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis has ruled out any joint government with New Democracy, declaring that his party aims to win first place at the polls. Speaking on ERTnews on Monday evening, Androulakis rejected both a coalition with the governing party and any arrangement involving a government of losers.
The centre-left party aims to solidify second place in public opinion polls by Christmas and re-establish itself as the primary opposition force. Androulakis stated that the choice before voters is clear: either PASOK finishes first to take the initiative in forming a government, or New Democracy will form the next administration.
PASOK, formally known as the Panhellenic Socialist Movement, is one of Greece's primary political parties and operates from its headquarters on Harilaou Trikoupi Street in Athens. Party officials emphasized that PASOK has shown an improved public standing since the Thessaloniki International Fair, attributing the shift to a coordinated presentation of its policy platform by lawmakers and frontline figures.
Debate Over Debt Settlement Proposals
To put pressure on New Democracy, PASOK is submitting its own legislative proposal on private debt to Parliament within hours. The initiative seeks to expand the 120-instalment debt settlement framework by reducing interest rates from 5.8 percent to 3 percent and lowering surcharges. Androulakis is scheduled to address Parliament on the proposal on Thursday.
Androulakis recalled that PASOK originally introduced the 120-instalment concept in 2022 and submitted multiple parliamentary amendments that were repeatedly dismissed by government officials, including Kyriakos Pierrakakis, as PASOK nonsense. Although the government eventually adopted a 120-instalment scheme, Androulakis explained that PASOK will not vote for it, criticizing its 5.8 percent interest rate and noting that eligibility was restricted to those on 72 instalments rather than assisting taxpayers struggling under 24-instalment or 48-instalment plans.
Addressing government accusations that PASOK's platform is fiscally uncosted, Androulakis defended his pledge to restore the 13th pension bonus in two instalments, starting in the party's first year in office. He noted that while ministers labeled the proposal populist, New Democracy later increased the pensioner allowance to 400 euros. According to Androulakis, the cost difference between the government's allowance and PASOK's initial pension instalment is 60 million euros.
Economic Policies and Housing Reforms
On social security management, Androulakis called for dynamic structural reform within the National Social Security Fund, known as EFKA. He proposed adopting an Italian model that utilizes excess value-added tax revenues from fuel taxation. Responding to observations that Italy remains under European Union budget surveillance, Androulakis stated that critics were comparing tomatoes to oranges, explaining that Italy applied windfall revenues without creating budget deficits or triggering fiscal sanctions.
Turning to housing policy, Androulakis evaluated the Spanish model, noting that Spain's housing crisis began with mortgage defaults during the 2009-2010 financial crisis and has spanned nearly 17 years. He credited the former PASOK administration of Prime Minister George Papandreou with protecting Greek primary residences from foreclosures during that period, while highlighting how countries such as Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Austria subsequently tapped the European Union Recovery Fund to build public housing.
Party Expansion and Political Recruits
Androulakis also responded to comments by Theoni Koufonikolakou, spokesperson for the ELAS party led by former Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras. After Koufonikolakou questioned whether PASOK's commitment to respect the popular vote implied a coalition with New Democracy, Androulakis replied that voters were tired of meaningless rhetorical constructs. He added that protest parties and single-person political vehicles would fail to defeat New Democracy.
Regarding political recruits and party transfers, Androulakis stressed that PASOK is not issuing blank cheques to prospective members. He stated that entry into the party requires adherence to an ethical framework that excludes individuals who have harmed the public interest or acted against democratic standards. He cited former minister Evangelos Apostolakis, who declared that he refused imperative dictates, taking aim at Tsipras for requiring sitting lawmakers to resign their seats before joining ELAS. PASOK is also expected to approve the return of lawmaker Nina Kasimati, while independent MP Myrto Korovesi is reported to be joining soon.
Foreign Policy and Aegean Relations
On foreign affairs, Androulakis criticized Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis over Greek-Turkish relations, challenging the government's narrative of calm waters in the Aegean. He described the narrative as a political construct created by Mitsotakis, pointing to Turkey's inclusion of the Blue Homeland doctrine in school textbooks and its continued push for the partition of Cyprus.
Androulakis stressed that Greek forces had backed down twice near the island of Kasos. He noted that senior New Democracy official Angelos Syrigos had publicly confirmed those retreats, validating statements Androulakis had made over the previous four years. He concluded by urging the government to stop disrespecting the intelligence of the Greek public regarding national defense.
