Former prime minister George Papandreou told the ongoing PASOK congress on Saturday that the party is returning not to “better manage what exists” but to “change how the country functions.”
Reusing the phrase “socialism or barbarism,” Papandreou framed the choice as one between “a society of liberation, justice, democratic control” and a “new form of barbarism”, or systems of vast power lacking moral and democratic oversight.
Targeting Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his New Democracy government, Papandreou said it is “efficient… in taking care of the few,” while offering the many “fear and uncertainty, allowances instead of rights.” Papandreou, now a PASOK MP, also alleged that European funds meant for green and regional development are “again going to a few large oligarchic interests.”
Citing issues such as the Tempe railway disaster, OPEKEPE agricultural subsidy and wiretapping scandals, and public contract practices, he argued the rule of law is “incompatible with this government’s choices,” claiming its policies have “devalued Greece” and weakened its voice internationally.
Papandreou, who led the country from 2009 to 2011, rejected blame for Greece’s financial crisis, arguing it stemmed from “huge deficits” under New Democracy and “years of squandering by the Right.” He insisted corruption “did not flourish under PASOK,” but “flourished and is flourishing under New Democracy,” adding that parts of the traditional Left “covered this up” to “launch attacks on PASOK.”
Calling for “cohesion and unity of democratic forces,” he said PASOK can and must shape cooperation among progressive groups.
Looking ahead to elections, he warned voters not to be misled by New Democracy’s message of “stability and security,” arguing that “this stability weakens the citizen.”
The PASOK congress, which began Friday, concludes Sunday.