The story unfolding between PASOK -of Nikos Androulakis- and Alexis Tsipras is reminiscent of the game children used to play.

At PASOK – of Nikos Androulakis – and at the office of Alexis Tsipras – in anticipation of the new party – a game is being played that could be described as the one children used to play in the old days, saying “we got you, we got you, coin of Constantine…” and the sequel is familiar.

The race to attract cadres on one side (PASOK) and on the other -where SYRIZA and some independents or some who have relocated to other areas, i.e. parties of left – in a short while it will resemble transfer… bargaining as an attempt is made to make each side appear to be… expanding.

Executives are changing positions and parties, looking more at where they can have a better chance in the next elections. PASOK appears willing to even take on its detractors who in hard times had done it with light hops and wagging a finger at those who insisted on remaining in Charilaou Trikoupis.

And while this may cause discomfort, no one is speaking up at this stage for fear of facing accusations that it is undermining the party’s progress ahead of elections or that it is causing conditions of introversion while PASOK is trying to move the needle.

From his side Alexis Tsipras’ staff is seeking at all costs to attract executives who move in the PASOK area so that the creation of the new party with SYRIZA executives or parties created after the splits of SYRIZA does not end up as a travesty.

And one will ask: since this is happening, how come some people are talking about post-election cooperation between the two sides? First of all, one does not negate the other. On the contrary, it shows that they can act as communicating vessels since PASOK left the centre for the eyes of the Left and Alexis Tsipras failed to make any penetration into the centre.

Besides, the talk of cooperation is not linked to any movement of cadres. What PASOK is trying to do is to record … firsts as best seconds. Alexis Tsipras is doing the same. Why? Because in a potential cooperation, whatever form it takes after the elections, each side wants to be described as the “core” of the centre-left.

It is certain that after the elections there will be shake-ups in this area and the former will have a say in developments that will be hard to avoid…