Performance Nikos Androulakis in Heraklion on the 52nd anniversary PASOK actually became the start of the party’s election campaign: instead of an anniversary speech, the leader of the opposition presented a set of specific social, economic and institutional promises.
Androulakis himself outlined the political meaning of the speech very clearly: PASOK, in his words, begins the fight “from today until the evening of the national elections.”
The full speech was published on PASOK official website.
The slogan of the evening is “Τώρα ΠΑΣΟΚ” (“Now PASOK”) — was actually turned into the structure of the future election program.
Androulakis consistently explained what his party has to offer to youth, retirees, government employees, small businesses, families with children, borrowers, farmers and private sector workers.
Actual start of the campaign
Formally, the event was dedicated to the anniversary of the founding of PASOK, but in content it was already pre-election keynote speech.
Androulakis did not limit himself to criticizing the government. He announced specific measures that PASOK intends to implement if it comes to power.
Moreover, he said that the program will be further revealed next week during the International Exhibition in Thessaloniki.
That is, we are not talking about a separate social initiative, but about a consistent deployment a full-fledged alternative government platform.
13th pension and new EKAS
One of the most notable promises concerns retirees.
Andrulakis promised to return 13th pensionwhich will be paid in two stages, and also restore a new form EKAS — social support for low-income pensioners.
“I undertake to return the 13th pension in two payments and a new EKAS.”
Previously, the government had already criticized this proposal, pointing to the high cost of the measure for the budget.
PASOK itself, in turn, states that the program has been calculated and can be introduced in stages.
13th salary for civil servants
Another big promise is restoration 13th salary in the public sector.
Androulakis presented the measure as compensation for losses that civil servants suffered during the financial crisis.
This is a particularly important point from the point of view of PASOK’s electoral strategy: the party is clearly trying to win back part of its traditional electorate in the public sector.
Social housing and first home protection
A separate block of the program is dedicated to the housing crisis.
Androulakis said that on the first day of PASOK’s government a law on social housingproviding for an increase in the supply of affordable apartments and a reduction in the rental burden.
The party also promises to restore real protection of first home for debtors.
At the same time, PASOK intends to tighten transparency requirements for investment funds and companies servicing problem loans.
According to Androulakis’ formulation, the priority should be debt restructuring, not the loss of housing by the borrower.
120 payments for small businesses
PASOK promises to return small and medium-sized businesses the opportunity to repay debt to the state within the framework of 120 monthly payments.
The party leader said that entrepreneurs today are squeezed between debt, high energy costs and current obligations.
The goal of the program is not just to help businesses survive, but to preserve jobs and investments.
Reducing the tax burden and collective agreements
For private sector workers, PASOK promises to reduce the tax burden and strengthen the collective bargaining system.
Androulakis is trying to return the classic social democratic formula to the political agenda: economic growth must be accompanied by an increase in income and labor rights.
Free nurseries and demographic policy
For young families the party promises universal free pre-school education and nursery.
Androulakis separately linked this point to the demographic crisis, calling it one of the key national challenges.
The idea is that parents are not forced to choose between work and having a child.
Package for farmers and livestock breeders
For the agricultural sector, PASOK offers tax-free fuel directly at the pump, preferential access for cooperatives to energy communities, strict controls on the illegal “Hellenization” of imported products, and new water management plans.
Androulakis also said that European agricultural funds should go to those who actually produce.
Audit of New Democracy direct contracts
The institutional block of speech was especially tough.
Androulakis promised that if PASOK comes to power, it will be checked “until the last euro”where the public money spent through the mechanism of direct contracts during the reign of New Democracy went.
“PASOK as a government will check where the last euro of the Greek people went during the years of direct contracts of New Democracy.”
He linked this to the reform of the state, the judicial system and the mechanisms of control of the executive branch.
“Neither Mitsotakis nor Tsipras”
Politically, PASOK’s campaign is built against two rivals at once.
The main target remains Kyriakos Mitsotakis and New Democracy, whom Androulakis blames for rising inequality, the housing crisis, institutional problems and opaque government spending.
But at the same time, the PASOK leader also attacked Alexis Tsipras, who the day before presented his own political program in Thessaloniki.
Androulakis stated:
“The people are not obliged to give a second chance to either Mr Mitsotakis or Mr Tsipras.”
This phrase actually formulates PASOK’s election strategy: not to be a junior partner of any of the parties, but to claim the role of an independent center of power.
Foreign Policy: Russia and Türkiye
A separate block was devoted to foreign policy.
Androulakis said that Europe is simultaneously facing Russian threat and Turkish revisionism and has no right to remain an outside observer.
Speaking about Greek-Turkish relations, he criticized the “calm waters” policy and said that Türkiye continues to challenge Greek sovereign rights.
At the same time, he emphasized that PASOK stands for good neighborly relations with Ankara with mandatory compliance with international law.
The next stage is DET
The performance in Heraklion should be considered the first stage of the campaign.
Androulakis directly stated that next week at the International Exhibition in Thessaloniki the program will be revealed in even more detail.
Previously, he also stated that he intends to present a mechanism for taxing excess profits of oligopolies at the DET.
That is, in the coming days, PASOK will probably move from general election promises to the financial and tax part of its program.
Video performances
Full recording of Nikos Androulakis’ performance in Heraklion:
Editorial comment
After the speech in Heraklion, it is already difficult to say that PASOK is simply preparing for elections. The campaign has actually begun.
Androulakis himself outlined the horizon – “from today until the evening of the national elections” – and presented not one or two popular slogans, but a whole set of measures for different social groups.
In essence, PASOK is trying to return to its classic political formula: a strong welfare state, support for pensioners and civil servants, housing protection, help for small businesses and greater control over government spending.
At the same time, the party is trying to occupy the political space between Mitsotakis and Tsipras and show that it does not claim to be a partner in a future coalition, but to govern the country independently.
From a political point of view, the program looks attractive: 13th pension, 13th salary, EKAS, social housing, 120 payments and tax relief will inevitably resonate with a large part of society.
But now the main test begins.
How much will all this cost? Which measures will be implemented immediately, which ones gradually? Where will the additional budget revenue come from? And how will PASOK’s calculations stand up to scrutiny under European fiscal rules?
The party claims that some of the measures already have financial justification. The next key moment is Andrulakis’s speech at the DET, where he promises to present in more detail the economic architecture of the program.
Therefore, the speech in Heraklion can be considered the first full-fledged keynote speech of the new PASOK election campaign. Now the party must move from the slogan “Now PASOK” to numbers.
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