By Antonis Anzoletou

In relation to the developments for the united centre-left, the behind-the-scenes consultations are quite “frozen”. Not that there are no discussions and events are not being prepared in September, just with him SYRIZA and PASOK in “election” readiness, it is difficult to take initiatives. As much as it is constantly mentioned that the alliances will be created from the base, the “signal” must undoubtedly be given by the leaders. In the official opposition, the landscape after yesterday’s meeting of the Political Secretariat is “grey” and they are waiting to see how tomorrow’s Central Committee and the questioning of Stefanos Kasselakis will finally go. The party seems to have entered a path of division and only plans for the single progressive space are not in a position to make.

At PASOK the leadership “suitors” are preparing for the big battle on the first Sunday of October. It is a fact that in Harilaou Trikoupi they have managed to present a much better image compared to Koumoundourou. In the green camp, they are not in a state of flux, nor does it appear that the party is in a big decline in opinion polls. Not that there won’t be “below the waist” hits that are sure to cost as the polls approach, but that’s to be expected in an intra-party primary race. In contrast, SYRIZA is looking to find its footing with Pavlos Polakis openly questioning the leadership and the “87” group appearing ready to open the exit door if things reach extremes.

Both parties will rise to TEF. Here the lead – if there are no unforeseen developments – is held by SYRIZA, as the second party will have its own weekend in Thessaloniki on September 14-15. The program that will be presented in Vellideio on Saturday night is almost ready. For PASOK, things are different, as it is most likely that on the way to the polls, different strategic and programmatic views will appear on how it should move from here on.

It will not be an easy process for both of the main candidates United Center Left. With their internal processes they will be called upon to prove that they can achieve the rallying of their world. In 2021 PASOK had brought 270,000 voters to the polls and in 2017 210,000. A year ago, approximately 150,000 members and friends voted for SYRIZA, while in 2022 Alexis Tsipras was re-elected president from the grassroots with the same number of participants. If the two parties fall far below the threshold, the first image for the reunification of the center-left will not be the best possible.

Now the battle of Parliament has begun, which is important for both SYRIZA and PASOK. Will they unite against the government? The “35” of the official opposition have a new leader, Mr Nikos Pappawho will attempt to forcefully enter the Plenary. It is recalled that the Nikos Androulakis has requested a pre-day debate on the fires where it is possible that the first fierce confrontation of the year will take place.