Signs of intense frustration, which usually lead to clashes and heated exchanges, have resurfaced in PASOK, as the party’s steady decline in the polls over the past few months is causing concern about its trajectory in the critical period ahead.

The “heated incident” between Nikos Androulakis and Evangelia Liakouli during the parliamentary group meeting, combined with Zoi Konstantopoulou overtaking PASOK for second place (as recorded in the latest Opinion Poll survey), are the two main issues dominating internal party discussions since yesterday, reigniting tensions.

The fierce confrontation, centered around the preliminary investigation committee and Christos Triantopoulos’ request to be examined by the Judicial Council regarding the Tempi case, occurred just as several party officials were raising questions about PASOK’s strategic moves moving forward and its narrative regarding its poor polling performance.

PASOK’s Declining Poll Numbers

In the latest poll, presented last night on Action 24, PASOK continues to show losses, dropping from 20.4% in November and 17.4% in January to 14.3%. Meanwhile, Plefsi Eleftherias (Zoi Konstantopoulou’s party) is now in the role of the main opposition.

In terms of suitability for prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis leads with 25.2%, followed by Zoi Konstantopoulou, who has also climbed to second place with 10.9%, while Nikos Androulakis ranks third with 6.3%.

The Androulakis–Liakouli Clash

Earlier, while the PASOK parliamentary group meeting was focused on housing policy, Androulakis was reaffirming his stance on PASOK’s actions regarding the Tempi case. When he invited MPs to ask questions, Evangelia Liakouli, former secretary of the parliamentary group and a regular member of the preliminary committee, requested the floor.

According to sources, Liakouli stated that she had not been informed about PASOK’s stance on Triantopoulos’ request to be referred to the Judicial Council. She noted that a (virtual) meeting had taken place with PASOK’s president, fellow committee member Milena Apostolaki, and some of Androulakis’ close aides.

The Larisa MP emphasized that she had been invited to an interview by media outlets but lacked a clear briefing on PASOK’s official stance. She added that while she was informed about PASOK’s proposal regarding the preliminary committee by Apostolaki, she had only learned about the latest developments from Dimitris Biagis, the current secretary of the parliamentary group.

At this point, Androulakis, visibly irritated, reportedly turned to Liakouli and said:

“What meeting? There was no meeting! I was on my way to Venizelos’ event. This is all in your imagination. Milena didn’t decide anything. I am the president. I decided on the Preliminary Inquiry, I decided on the no-confidence motion, I decided on the party’s stance on Triantopoulos.”

The discussion escalated in an intense atmosphere.

“Listen, madam, let me tell you something,” Androulakis reportedly said.

To which Liakouli shot back:

“I am not your madam. I am an elected MP of this party.”

When Androulakis continued in the same sharp tone, saying:

“I will not allow you to blow up this parliamentary group meeting with lies and fantasies—I will not tolerate games with the unity of the party!”

Liakouli fired back, stating:

“And I will not allow anyone to say that I am undermining the party’s unity. I have had its back in difficult times and continue to fight inside and outside Parliament.”

Concerns Among PASOK MPs and Officials

MPs and PASOK officials who witnessed the incident during the parliamentary group meeting did not hide their concerns and, in private discussions, emphasized the need to strengthen the party’s collective functioning so that all members could fight with full knowledge of the party’s strategy.

Other officials also recalled their recent meeting at the book presentation of PASOK founding member Kostas Skandalidis, noting that leadership should allow space and time for exchanging views and synthesizing proposals.

“When was the last time the Political Council met?” a PASOK MP remarked pointedly, clearly implying that such a meeting hasn’t taken place since last June.