Leader election in PASOK by March 4

The positive outcome of the Eurogroup meeting on Wednesday and the smooth launch of the PSI are the key factors for an earlier initiation of the procedures to elect a new leader in PASOK. The power vacuum is quite evident, and given that Papademos’ government announced that elections will take place in April, the earliest possible resolution of the problem of power in PASOK is imperative, at least in the view of a large portion of its members.

The scenario that is already being discussed in the background has the following formula: in the next few days, preferably on Thursday, George Papandreou or the political council will announce the start of procedures for the election of the new leader that will occur at the national conference on March 2-4 at the latest. It will be transformed into an urgent conference, which will make the necessary changes in statutes and acquire the power for the new president’s election. The process is facilitated after the removal of Haris Kastanidis and Louka Katseli, two of the members aiming for the leadership. The support of Andreas Loverdos and a large wing of Papandreou supporters to Evangelos Venizelos sets the conditions for submitting only one application and makes it easier to reach an agreement on accelerating and changing the relevant procedures.

According to all indications and information, if Venizelos does get elected to the presidency, which should coincide with the completion of the PSI, then the Finance minister will resign from the government, since his main work will be finished and his new capacity will require him to stay out of ministries.