The tragically poor performance of PASOK in major urban centers is alarming the leadership of Nikos Androulakis and leading to developments.
If all the polls agree on one thing regarding PASOK, it is that the party has extremely low poll numbers in major urban centers. And we’re talking about Attica and Thessaloniki—that is, where half the country’s population lives—so these are regions that play a decisive role in the party’s nationwide poll numbers.
It is telling that in both Attica and Thessaloniki, PASOK is polling between 6-8%, consistently ranking as the third-largest party. In Thessaloniki, it is even fourth, behind Maria Karystianou.
In other words, ELAS led by Alexis Tsipras may not have much momentum in these major urban centers, as it hovers between 12-16%, the gap with PASOK is significant. And based on the poll data so far, it does not appear that the party at 11 Harilaou Trikoupi Street can bridge this gap.
Developments are coming
Initially, this means that PASOK in large electoral districts where top-tier officials will be candidates, may not manage to win more than one seat. For example, in southern Attica, the central sector of Athens, and Thessaloniki, based on these figures, it will win just one seat in each region. Consequently, key figures will be left out of Parliament, as well as those brought in by Nikos Androulakis from SYRIZA, who had promised them seats in the next Parliament.
This alone will trigger developments on election night, as it will be difficult for Nikos Androulakis to hold his ground with a party that comes in third or fourth and with most of its well-known officials outside Parliament. This particularly worried the president of PASOK himself, as the turnout at his speech in Nea Ionia a few days ago was disappointing.
According to reports, at Harilaou Trikoupi, they have drawn up a 40-day plan for Attica and Thessaloniki involving tours and the sidelining of the old, well-known officials who have connections with the grassroots in major cities. The goal is to reverse the poor situation in major cities, and for this to be reflected in the party’s overall vote share.
Nikos Androulakis has already spoken in Drapetsona and has even begun making new promises, aiming to preempt Alexis Tsipras on the left-wing agenda.
However, the signs are not particularly encouraging for Harilaou Trikoupi, as they are looking for candidates and cannot find any. On the contrary, many Left-wing officials in Attica and Thessaloniki are either returning to Alexis Tsipras, or preferring smaller Left-wing groups, as they know it will be difficult for them to get elected against the big names of PASOK.
