How Nikos Androulakis Could Play the Ace and Reshuffle Greece’s Political Deck

Even though Alexis Tsipras is meticulously planning his political return — with the support of influential allies — the center of gravity in Greece’s political game may be shifting elsewhere. The real threat to the Mitsotakis government is not SYRIZA or Tsipras’ potential reappearance, but rather PASOK, which has quietly but steadily been preparing for a two-front political offensive.

Nikos Androulakis’ Moment of Truth

After surviving internal stagnation and managing to consolidate his position, Nikos Androulakis now sees a window of opportunity to become a decisive player. If New Democracy’s numbers stall, and upcoming elections require new majorities formed with unconventional coalitions, PASOK could hold the balance of power — and Androulakis may get the political game of his life.

His strategy is both simple and ambitious: Expose the government’s vulnerabilities and gradually reclaim the political center.

The Weak Links in the Mitsotakis Administration

As the second term progresses, fatigue and policy missteps are beginning to show. Recent polls suggest declining support, especially among voters affected by:

• excessive taxation in key sectors
• rising social inequalities
• the mishandling of national issues
• and most notably, the OPEKEPE scandal, for which there’s still no convincing government explanation.

Meanwhile, the victims of the bailout era — non-performing loan holders, bankrupt citizens, underpaid young professionals — remain under pressure, while the economically powerful seem to be thriving unchecked.

Tsipras Is Returning — But Not Yet a Real Threat

Despite some polls showing favorable numbers and strong backers pushing for his comeback to “balance” Mitsotakis, Alexis Tsipras is far from being a direct threat at this stage. He has no organized party structure, will face resistance within the broader left, and is unlikely to play a critical role in the next government.

For now, the real danger for Maximos Mansion doesn’t come from the left. It comes from the center — from PASOK.

The Turning Point: September 3 at Zappeion

PASOK plans to send a strong political message during its event at Zappeion on September 3, where key party figures will be present in a festive atmosphere.

What remains to be seen is whether Androulakis will choose to activate the party’s high-profile figures, including:

• Pavlos Geroulanos
• Anna Diamantopoulou
• and Haris Doukas, who’s already raised his profile by openly clashing with three government ministries as mayor of Athens.

Alongside them, Michalis Katrinis leads the party’s opposition front in Parliament, steadily increasing the pressure.

Can Androulakis Reshape the Game?

The Greek political chessboard is evolving, and Nikos Androulakis may hold the ace to change the game — if he plays it right.

Until now, PASOK has operated in low-key mode, but the shifting momentum may push it into strategic initiativeterritory. The coming months will test whether Androulakis can break free from political neutrality and emerge as the kingmaker in Greece’s next government.

In politics — as in chess — timing is everything.

Source: pagenews.gr