The movements of New Democracy and SYRIZA – Western Attica is a challenge for PASOK as well
By Antonis Anzoletou
Each electoral district in which the parties are called to fight the battle of the cross has its particularities. Whether “blue” or “pink”, the conflict will be tough because the political forces want to keep their “castles”, but also to “steal” additional seats from their opponents. Western Athens is a special case that in 2019 SYRIZA (38.6%) won by almost 9 points over New Democracy (29.69%). There is no measure of comparison with 2015, as eight years ago Athens B was a single huge district that gave a total of 44 seats.
What does this mean; How the current official opposition wants to increase its influence in a “people’s area” in which it definitely wants to have the first say. It includes municipalities Peristeri, Aigaleo, Agioi Anargyro-Kamaterou, Ilio, Petroupoli, Agia Varvara and Haidari. The legal population of these areas amounts to approximately 400,000 inhabitants according to the 2021 census data. New Democracy wants to see the results of its policies and the support it provided to small and medium-sized households and businesses both in the pandemic and during energy crisis. The new fact that exists in Western Athens is that one more seat will be available after the new census. This fact significantly increases competition.
The importance that the blue faction gives to this region was seen almost four years ago. Kyriakos Mitsotakis had chosen to be elected and hold the seat of Western Athens. Dimitris Koutsoubas had done the same with the KKE appearing particularly strong in all its regions (8.69% in 2019). The Hellenic Solution had won a seat in the previous elections, as well as MeRA25. Miltiadis Varvitsiotis and Yiannis Loverdos were elected from the ND. The new ballots have already been strengthened by the nominations of former minister Michalis Chrysochoidis and the deputy minister for Demographic Policy, Maria Syrengela. What does this mean; How if the ruling party wishes to elect all the leaders it has, the participants in the lists should “run” in order to significantly increase its percentages.
In July 2019, SYRIZA had elected four MPs and New Democracy three. Yannis Dragasakis, Dimitris Vitsas, Chara Kafantaris and Thanasis Papachristopoulos were the first from the official opposition. Then Panagiotis Kouroumplis won the seat from Mr. Papachristopoulos in the Electoral Court. What is SYRIZA preparing to keep the primaries? He unloads his “strong cards” in Western Athens. The first two votes of the Congress, Efi Ahtsioglou and Rena Dourou, will strengthen the ballot, as Alexis Tsipras wishes to further strengthen his percentages. It has not yet been clarified what Yannis Dragasakis will do with information, which is not confirmed, that he may choose an honorary position on the State ballot.
The PASOK in the previous elections, he elected Nadia Giannakopoulou, receiving a percentage of 6%. West Athens is also a bet for Charilaou Trikoupi. In addition to the current member of parliament, the ballot will be reinforced by, among others, Michalis Karchimakis and Thanasis Katerinopoulos.
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I have worked in the news industry for over 10 years. I have been an author at News Bulletin 247 for the past 2 years. I mostly cover politics news. I am a highly experienced and respected journalist. I have won numerous awards for my work.
