PASOK leader George Papandreou is due to propose that his party hold a leadership vote in December even though his rival Evangelos Venizelos is pushing for the ballot to take place next month.

PASOK’s political council is due to meet today to discuss the issue and Papandreou is expected to propose that a three-member panel of experienced party members not serving as MPs be assigned the task of analyzing the Socialists’ election defeat.

The panel will deliver its verdict by October 10, according to Papandreou’s plans. A meeting of the national council around the middle of November will follow, before a leadership vote by mid-December.

Papandreou has refused to meet with Venizelos to discuss the issue but will come across him at today’s political council.

The 50-year-old Thessaloniki MP will suggest that the leadership election should be held on October 14, sources said.

He is likely to propose that the candidates for the leadership be allowed to present their positions between October 10 and 12.

Venizelos, who has served as minister of culture, transport, justice and development and was first elected to Parliament in 1993, has asked MPs who support him not to make any inflammatory comments.

“It is not possible for us to navel gaze while Costas Karamanlis is trying to form a new landscape,” said Venizelos. “As a result, I will disown anyone who is abusive or derogatory about Mr Papandreou. I do not want such a person as a colleague.”