PASOK in turmoil: Tensions between Androulakis and Liakouli spark internal crisis
Greece’s main opposition party, PASOK, has turned into a boiling pot of internal conflict in recent days. According to a report by Imerisia, tensions within the party have escalated, fueled by political shifts following the Tempi train disaster and the request to refer former Deputy Minister Triantopoulos to the judiciary.
During a PASOK parliamentary group meeting, where the agenda initially focused on housing issues and alternative policies against the government, a heated dispute erupted between PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis and Larisa MP Evangelia Liakouli, overshadowing all other discussions.
“I Am Not Your Lady, I Am an Elected MP!”
During the meeting, Androulakis reaffirmed PASOK’s stance on allowing the party’s investigative committee to proceed with its work regarding Triantopoulos' referral to the judiciary. He then invited MPs to share their views.
Liakouli took the floor and criticized the recent decision-making process, stating that she had not been invited to some key meetings and that Milena Apostolaki had taken the lead in shaping the party’s stance.
Androulakis reacted sharply, emphasizing that he alone determines the party’s direction and had personally drafted the party’s statement. As tensions rose, Liakouli fired back, "I am not your lady, I am an elected MP!" Androulakis, in turn, accused her of undermining party unity.
Despite the heated exchange, the PASOK parliamentary group ultimately decided unanimously to vote against Triantopoulos' request.
Polling Shock and Government Reactions
Government-affiliated sources suggest that Androulakis' frustration stems from New Democracy’s recent public statements, highlighting PASOK’s past support for Triantopoulos' referral to the judiciary. The government argues that PASOK has since shifted its position to avoid contradictions.
Meanwhile, PASOK’s internal discussions reveal growing concerns over the party’s stagnant polling numbers. Analysts note that Plefsi Eleftherias (Course of Freedom)—a rising opposition movement fueled by post-Tempi pro-democracy sentiment—is gaining traction, sparking dissatisfaction within PASOK’s base.
Some PASOK figures, including Athens Mayor Haris Doukas, oppose focusing solely on the Tempi issue as a strategy, while Androulakis and his leadership maintain that these challenges are temporary.
Sources close to PASOK suggest that, as elections approach, the party will present voters with a clear choice: "Mitsotakis or us." However, PASOK’s failure to position itself as a strong alternative to the government in current polls has raised serious internal concerns about the party’s direction.
