The great bargain for PASOK's top members

PASOK is entering the final phase of solving the leadership problem, as all realize that they should make their final decisions on when and how to elect the new president at the critical meeting of the national council on January 14 and 15.

Nevertheless, Papandreou's close associates are focusing on two considerations: Firstly, delaying the proceedings on the pretext that Papademos' government ïs going through a critical phase and secondly, securing some kind of role for Papandreou so as for him not to be treated as a scapegoat and become marginalized. The scenario of diarchy seems to have subsided considerably after its rejection by the political council.

The would-be successors are generally keeping a low profile with the exception of Michael Chrysohoides, who criticized the diarchy scenario openly and strongly, and accused Papandreou of an obsession.

Venizelos referred to his previous stance at the political meeting ("to be done with everything by January 15"), while Andreas Loverdos said that he will work for the unification of PASOK.

According to information, already since Thursday and in view of the national council meeting, there have been backroom processes to achieve alliances among the dauphins, or agreements between Papandreou's block and other forces regarding the role of Papandreou on the day after of the party.

In any case, the prevailing scenario now talks of elections by early February or March at the latest, in order to elect the new president.