December conference for PASOK
Opposition leader George Papandreou yesterday called a December congress to reorganize the socialist party his father, former PM Andreas Papandreou, founded in 1974, while at the same time appearing to sideline several party bigwigs. Papandreou announced the formation of two new organs, a large coordinating council and the council’s 28-strong secretariat, which will coordinate efforts ahead of the December 10-12 party congress together with six specialized task groups. A number of PASOK officials who enjoyed prominence during the Socialists’ years in government were not among the party officials named by Papandreou for the new organs. These include Vasso Papandreou, Yiannos Papantoniou, Akis Tsochadzopoulos, Nikos Christodoulakis, Petros Efthymiou, Christos Protopapas, Christos Verelis and Telemachos Hytiris, all former ministers. Papandreou expressed hope that the December conference will help PASOK win the next elections, even if these are held next year should Parliament fail to elect a successor for President Costis Stephanopoulos.
