The ‘center-left’
PASOK’s «reformists» – led by party secretary Michalis Chrysochoidis – are once again discussing «center-left politics.» The debate had fizzled out quite a long time ago but, evidently, the pressing needs of the forthcoming general elections require government officials to bring center-left politics back into the spotlight (to the great joy of certain non-party aligned political figures, who are seeking to join the ranks of the ruling party). So, once again, we are seeing senior PASOK officials resurrecting the same topic in an attempt to make a good impression in the countdown to the elections rather than actually creating any viable center-left ideology. By juxtaposing certain medium-caliber politicians from the Left with well-known senior members of the ruling party, PASOK hopes to create the impression of boosting the influence of the party and enriching the status of its cadres. However, the recruitment of a few non-aligned «orphan» politicians into the ranks of PASOK has another goal: It is of the utmost significance to the ruling party’s reformists to know who will be driving party policy after the polls in the event of an election defeat. All evidence suggests that Prime Minister Costas Simitis and his «reformist» team are not prepared to lose their hold on the party without a fight. And, of course, these «center-left» orphans due to join the party ranks will only boost the reformists’ influence…
