Minister states case for PASOK leadership - The Best from Greece

Posted on: 22/Nov/2011

 Chrysochoidis on Monday became the first PASOK member to declare his candidacy

Development Minister Michalis Chrysochoidis on Monday became the first member of the PASOK hierarchy to publicly declare his candidacy for the party leadership but current president George Papandreou remained silent about whether he intends to stand aside or seek a new term at the helm of the Socialists.

Chrysochoidis, who also served as citizens’ protection minister in Papandreou’s government, said that he felt we was entitled to put his name forward but stressed that the method that would be followed to elect a new leader, which has yet to be decided, would have to be fair to all candidates.

“I think I can be useful for Greek politics and the country,” Chrysochoidis told Real FM radio. “I feel I have the right to put myself forward as a candidate when my turn has come, if the process [to elect a new leader] is set in motion. However, I will do so only under the conditions that everyone respects the process.”

Papandreou has yet to position himself on the issue of a possible leadership race. If he chooses to run for the party presidency again, it would complicate the contest as he retains a hard core of support within PASOK.

The former prime minister met with a number of government and party officials on Monday to discuss his options.

One of his strongest supporters, Citizens’ Protection Minister Christos Papoutsis, appeared to slam Chrysochoidis for raising the issue of a leadership race. “There is no point at this crucial juncture for various wannabes to appear,” he said.

However, there appears to be consensus within PASOK that there should be no move to launch a leadership contest before Greece secures its next tranche of loan funding, which it needs by mid-December.

source: http://www.ekathimerini.com

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