Intervention week for the unpledged of PASOK

This week will be the week for the unpledged of PASOK, since the members who have not expressed a preference will do so in view of the meetings of the national conference and the national council on Friday and Saturday. These will include the official announcements of the nominations for the presidency of PASOK.

All eyes are turned to the members of the disbanded trio of reformers. After Andreas Loverdos' accession to Evangelos Venizelos’ camp, everyone is waiting for a response from Anna Diamantopoulou and Ragoussis. The attitude of Michael Chrysohoidis is enigmatic, with information in recent weeks showing he has agreed with Venizelos.

Chrysohoidis holds his cards close to his chest and might not reveal them before Friday.

Ragousis might intervene with a press conference, in which he will distinguish himself from "the forces of the past" and distance himself from Venizelos. The deputy Defence minister and former secretary of the national council of PASOK, will seek to express the reform part of society which, as circles adjacent to him say, "has become an orphan." His colleagues even promise that his public stance will cause a commotion in PASOK, "perhaps even greater than what a possible candidacy might have created."

The former close associate of Papandreou has already provided hints in his personal twitter account. A few days ago he wrote: "I repeat: The country and the party now need a paradigm shift. Truths rather than the disguising of their crisis. A break-up with the past."
 
The role of Pangalos

At present it is still unclear whether he will be present in the election process, but this possibility remains open. Theodoros Pangalos is in contact with Ragoussis, but this does not mean that their views accord.

After the collaboration between Loverdos and Venizelos, Pangalos seems to be seeking a role in PASOK’s next day. The political gap that separates him from the other vice president is known inside and outside the government, and this is why he had rushed to support the creation of the trio of reformers, Loverdos, Ragoussis and Diamantopoulou. He was opposed to its dissolution since he considered it as the only political cooperation within the party that could oppose Venizelos’ candidacy.

Ragousis might not be able to find agreement points with Venizelos, but he is still keeping in touch with Andreas Loverdos.

According to her colleagues, Diamantopoulou is expected to post her suggestions for PASOK on her personal website before the meeting of the national conference. It seems impossible that she might be in favor of one or the other candidate, at least not until next Friday. She will wait for the official candidates to express themselves. Her partners do not exclude the possibility that she might place herself in the judgment of the PASOK members regarding the presidency, but add that such a case has moved away. Finally, they emphatically dismiss on protothema.gr the scenarios about a move to the Democratic Left of Fotis Kouvelis and note that all her moves will be within PASOK.

The unofficial candidacy of Venizelos, after the agreement with Loverdos, has become a very strong magnet. A typical example is the call made last week by Pangalos to dozens of members of the parliamentary group. Eventually only eight went to his office, some of whom have already expressed themselves in favor of Venizelos.