The battle between former prime minister Alexis Tsipras and PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis for influence over Greece’s progressive political space is expected to intensify in September, with both sides preparing major economic policy announcements.
Tsipras, now leader of the Greek Left Alliance (ELAS), is planning to unveil his party’s economic program before Androulakis presents PASOK’s proposals at the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) on September 12. The move is seen as an attempt to force both Androulakis and conservative Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to respond to his agenda and establish himself as the main challenger for the premiership.
Tsipras is expected to present his program at the Economist Impact Thessaloniki Metropolitan Summit on September 3 at the “Ioannis Vellidis” Convention Center, although the schedule has not been officially confirmed.
Androulakis will be in Iraklio, Crete, on the same day for events marking PASOK’s founding anniversary. Party officials said he rejected suggestions to present his economic proposals earlier, arguing that he wanted to maintain an institutional approach and allow Tsipras to reveal his positions first before responding at TIF.
