Tough negotiations to avoid collision

In view of the political meeting on Thursday and the national council this weekend, backstage fermentations in PASOK have intensified in order to find a compromising solution to the leadership problem. The fear that if the climate of conflict moves into the base not only will it completely dissolve the party, but will also slur it in the public
opinion, makes everyone in the leadership seek an agreement that at least will ensure a smooth transition to the upcoming national elections.

Top executives of the party, even dauphins, would not deny George Papandreou's remaining as president and the election of the PM candidate by the parliamentary group or by another party instrument, as long as the emergence of an image of a paralyzing diarchy and division, which would weaken the new leader in the fight against Antonis Samaras, could be avoided.

The main challenge is Papanderou's precise role. The non-negotiable position, at least as far as the Venizelos side is concerned, is that the candidate PM should represent PASOK in meetings with political leaders and prime minister Lucas Papademos. In this aspect, Papandreou’s side seems reluctant to accept such a development, considering that the current president will become a "decorative" figure. It is still uncertain if the curious and incomprehensible insistence of Papandreou’s environment aims to ensure other types of collateral for Papandreou's "safe" exit from the leadership, or whether it is a prerequisite for initiating any processes of succession.

In this climate, some leadership candidates are keeping a low profile because they see not only strong resistance from Papandreou’s block, but also extremely difficult conditions for PASOK in the coming national elections. Thus, the prospect of a painful defeat is beginning to trouble the party, but also deter ambitions at this phase.