PASOK, the Panhellenic Socialist Movement of Greece, has been a prominent political party in the country for several decades.

However, in recent years, the party has faced significant challenges that have resulted in internal divisions and a decline in its popularity. One of the most notable splits within PASOK is the separation between the Dromocaitio and Daphne factions.

The Rise of PASOK

Founded in 1974 by Andreas Papandreou, PASOK quickly gained traction as a socialist alternative to the conservative New Democracy party.

Under Papandreou’s leadership, the party advocated for social justice, workers’ rights, and a more egalitarian society. PASOK’s popularity soared, and in 1981, it won the general election, marking the beginning of its 21-year dominance in Greek politics.

Internal Divisions and Decline

However, as the years passed, PASOK faced numerous challenges that eroded its support base. Economic crises, corruption scandals, and the implementation of unpopular austerity measures took a toll on the party’s reputation.

Additionally, internal divisions started to emerge as various factions within PASOK had differing views on how to address these challenges.

The Dromocaitio Faction

The Dromocaitio faction, led by Evangelos Venizelos, emerged as a prominent group within PASOK.

This faction advocated for a more moderate and pragmatic approach, emphasizing the need for economic stability and cooperation with Greece’s international creditors. Venizelos, who served as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, believed that PASOK should work within the existing framework to address the country’s economic woes.

The Daphne Faction

In contrast, the Daphne faction, led by Fofi Gennimata, took a more radical stance. This faction believed in challenging the existing political and economic system, advocating for a complete overhaul of Greece’s economic policies.

Gennimata and her supporters argued that PASOK had strayed from its socialist roots and needed to return to its original principles to regain public trust.

Rupture and Separation

The differences between the Dromocaitio and Daphne factions eventually became irreconcilable. While both factions sought to address Greece’s economic challenges, they had diverging views on the best approach.

The Dromocaitio faction argued for a more gradualist and pragmatic approach, while the Daphne faction advocated for more radical and immediate changes.

In November 2017, tensions between the factions reached a breaking point.

The Daphne faction decided to break away from PASOK and form a new political party, called the “Movement for Change.” This rupture further weakened PASOK’s already declining support base and contributed to the party’s diminished influence in Greek politics.

The Impact on Greek Politics

The separation of the Daphne faction dealt a significant blow to PASOK. The party, once a dominant force in Greek politics, struggled to regain its former glory.

The split resulted in a further fragmentation of the left-wing political landscape in Greece, with multiple parties vying for similar voter demographics.

Subsequent elections saw PASOK’s influence diminish significantly, as it struggled to differentiate itself from other left-wing parties.

The rise of the far-left Syriza party, led by Alexis Tsipras, further marginalized PASOK, as many voters turned to more radical alternatives.

The Future of PASOK

PASOK continues to exist as a political party, albeit with a significantly diminished presence. The separation of the Daphne faction further weakened its support base, and the party has struggled to redefine its identity and regain public trust.

Efforts have been made to revive PASOK and rebuild its influence in Greek politics, but the road to recovery remains challenging.

The party faces the difficult task of reconciling its socialist roots with the pragmatic realities of governing in a post-crisis Greece.

Conclusion

The separation between the Dromocaitio and Daphne factions within PASOK has had far-reaching implications for Greek politics. The rupture weakened PASOK’s influence and further fragmented the left-wing political landscape.

As Greece continues to grapple with the aftermath of the economic crisis, the future of PASOK remains uncertain, and the party must navigate these challenges to regain relevance and influence.