Papandreou launches party, aims for post-election role
Former Prime Minister George Papandreou launched his new party on Saturday, as current Deputy Prime Minister and PASOK leader Evangelos Venizelos insisted that his party would play a pivotal role in political developments after the January 25 elections.
Papandreou said the his party would be called the Movement of Democratic Socialists. If the former PASOK leaders new grouping is able to gain more than 3 percent in the polls in three weeks time, he might gain enough seats in Parliament to have a say in the formation of the next government. Crucially, the new party could also have an impact on how PASOK performs.
PASOK MP Filippos Sachinidis, who served as deputy finance minister in Papandreous first government, and Giorgos Petalotis, a previous government spokesman, will act as the new partys media representatives. Other PASOK officials that will support the party are former parliamentary speaker Filippos Petsalnikos and former minister Dimitris Reppas. Thanos Moraitis, Sokratis Xynidis and Simos Kedikoglou are also among the lawmakers that are making the move from PASOK to the Movement of Democratic Socialists. Papandreous brother, Nikos, has a key role among the ex-premiers team of advisers.
The partys logo is a red rose with a green leaf a reference to the symbol used by European social democrats and the colors of PASOK, which was founded by Papandreous father, Andreas. Sources said that given the time constraints until the January 25 ballot, any candidates standing for election with the new party would have to fund themselves.
Ahead of the partys launch at the Benaki Museum, Deputy Prime Minister Evangelos Venizelos said he was deeply saddened by Papandreous move and accused him of trying to break up PASOK. He said his...
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