The 50th anniversary of PASOK and the timing

The socialist PASOK party celebrates 50 years since its foundation and, having escaped the existential danger it faced about a decade ago during the Greek debt crisis, it is breathlessly heading for an internal showdown that is absolutely certain to define its future.

It is doubtful we can speak of a center-left trend, at least based on the current political conditions. The recent election contests showed that voters change camps with great ease, without feeling any emotional or other commitment toward the parties. For PASOK, the timing is overall positive, as it seems that, first of all, the main opposition SYRIZA is in a prolonged crisis, if not heading toward its ignominious end as a political force with claims to power.

At the same time, the ruling conservative New Democracy party is clearly alienating some voters who had identified in 2019 and 2023 with the...