By Antonis Anzoletou

In the fragmented space of the center-left, the only constant at the moment is PASOK. It has a large two-digit difference from New Democracy, which it is called upon to cover, but it also maintains a safe distance from the other parties, which according to opinion polls is characterized as safe. With these data, Mr Nikos Androulakis he has no reason to be involved in any discussion that has to do with alliances of the forces of the progressive space. He leads the centre-left, wants to consolidate in numbers above 20% and is putting together his own program to threaten the current majority. Only as a government “supplement” over time could he imagine someone next to him.

The math, based on today’s polls, is very specific and the field is divided into three. PASOK, in most measurements, moves alone in the zone of 17% – 18%. The other forces (SYRIZA, Pleussi Eleftherias, New Left, MeRA25, Democracy Movement) a little over 20%. The five of them do not have any point of contact and in many cases the words they have exchanged are heavy. They come from the “womb” of SYRIZA, but there are many things that separate them. The KKE is not counted in the “equation” since it is fighting alone to be in double digits in 2025 and does not discuss alliances even on issues such as the election of the president of the Republic (they will not vote for any person, remaining firm in their position).

The three “camps” to her left New Republic they have a long and difficult road ahead of them both in the year that has just begun and until the elections. Everything will depend to a very large extent on the course it will follow PASOK. Only if the party of Nikos Androulakis remains stagnant and does not show any potential to challenge the dominance of New Democracy can a discussion on programmatic convergence begin. Again, not everyone is expected to participate given the absence of the KKE. The first “crash test” will be the nomination by the Parliament of the highest state actor, especially in the event that the New Democracy decides to support a person from its own faction. Will Kyriakos Mitsotakis give the center-left parties the opportunity to merge for the first time? He has not opened his papers, but based on estimates it is more likely that he will try to split the other side by proposing a candidacy from the wider progressive field.

At Monday’s meeting of the Executive Office, Sokratis Famellos showed that SYRIZA supports the consultation and a joint candidate from the center-left, while Alexis Haritsis has been the first to move in this direction. Nikos Androulakis will also open his papers soon. It will be interesting if during the month there will be four-fours between the three, but also Zoi Konstantopoulou. In any case, a few months will have to pass in 2025 in order to see if there is room for fusion in the center-left.