By Antonis Anzoletou

Many argued that the time had come for co-operation SYRIZA – PASOK ahead of the European elections, however, few were convinced. The occasion was good. In Athens, Thessaloniki and Thessaly, the collaborations of the two bore fruit against an all-powerful government. And in fact, in the capital, the complete upheaval took place. At the moment, Stefanos Kasselakis and Nikos Androulakis are leading two small and medium-sized forces that alone cannot in any case overcome the obstacle of the New Democracy. Everything shows that the path they must follow is common given that the center-left unites them.

There is a milestone that will judge everything. The European elections. Until then, the goals of the two are completely different. THE Nikos Androulakis wishes to take advantage of the dynamics that PASOK recorded in the recent local elections and to emerge as the second force behind New Democracy. At Charilaou Trikoupi they believe that the messages of the ballot box give a new impetus to the party in combination with the climate of introversion that prevails in Koumoundourou. The autonomy of the movement is not negotiable. The possibility of Nikos Androulakis being pushed inside cannot be ruled out. Already different opinions are being heard from Harilaou Trikoupi.

In SYRIZA they feel the “breath” of PASOK and nothing is the same anymore. The most pessimistic see that the KKE is also now threatening Koumoundourou. THE Stefanos Kasselakis it does not negotiate the autonomous course of the area, however it insists on the partnership of the progressive forces, as was done in the recent elections. “He was justified by his choice” emphasize his surroundings. From Koumoundourou they make it clear that the statements of Christos Spirtzis about a joint ballot even in the European elections are out of line. After all, the inner-party opposition, through Panos Skourletis, constantly replies to him that something like this cannot proceed. SYRIZA wishes to have the “upper hand” in its relationship with PASOK, as was the case from 2015 onwards. They hope that the crisis will be transitory and very soon after the meeting the institutions will find their pace. This afternoon, after all, the first crash test will take place with the convocation of the Political Secretariat.

The statements of the top officials of the two forces show that the conflict and not the alliance is at hand. THE Nikos Pappas speaking to ERT, he explained that, while PASOK wants to become the official opposition, SYRIZA’s goal is to “crack” the hegemony of New Democracy in the European elections as well. Nadia Giannakopoulou called the conversation about broader cooperation “awkward and untimely”.

It is clear that no one will take the next step if the new polls and especially the battle of the European elections do not reflect the new correlations. SYRIZA and PASOK wish to express the progressive space and include the weakest in their ranks. This is how the “political game” has always been played and the terms cannot be changed now.