PASOK parliamentary group at the limits of its endurance

PASOK’s parliamentary group continues to present an image of dissolution, putting in doubt the Papademos government's ability to manage critical issues. Nobody is sure now whether members of parties that support the current government will develop the required consistency and determination if tougher measures or
ambiguous structural changes reach the parliament.

The state of dissolution was reinforced by George Papandreou’s decision, who returned from Costa Rica to convene the parliamentary group on Thursday, when top executives believe that the meeting should be scheduled for earlier next week, as there are critical discussions coming to parliament.

Instead of accelerating the meeting, Papandreou has chosen to meet with officials on Friday. He will see parliament chairman Philippos Petsalnikos, PG secretary Vasilis Exarchos and parliamentarians Petros Efthimiou and Christos Protopappas. It is said that the PASOK president wants to make it clear to all concerned that the consistency
of the PG can not be called into question or even worse, compromise the government's work, but it is extremely doubtful if he has any more authority to convey the message to the members of the party. Moreover, the mere poll collapse of PASOK, which means that at least one hundred of today's MPs will not see the elections, is enough to act
quite negatively within the parliamentary group.

In the meantime, the issue that has emerged with the intention of some of Papandreou's associates to request the removal of Michael Chrysohoidis from the government for his recent critical statements against the memorandum policy in the previous biennium, remains suspended in midair. Information indicates that Papandreou might limit himself to public disapproval, and not ultimately raise an issue with Papademos. Chrysochoidis, however, is sending a message to Ippocratous saying "they can do whatever they want, they are the ones who will be exposed!"

Meanwhile the dauphins seem to increase, as Christos Papoutsis hinted at his own claim to the party leadership.