Sergei Stanishev added: “PASOK has always remained true and unambiguous that Greece’s place is at the heart of the EU and the Eurozone, and I believe that their presence in the Parliament will remain a key factor that pushes towards a progressive and European path for the country. PASOK has shouldered a historic burden to keep the country on its feet, protecting their citizens and saving Greece from bankruptcy in the face of a neoliberal Europe. It has not shied away from its responsibilities, and has been ready to pay any political cost necessary.
The new government led by Syriza needs to understand that, in order to be successful, they will need to keep an open dialogue with PASOK and other progressive parties if they want to build a strong national consensus. Greek citizens have spoken democratically, and now it is up to the politicians to quickly form a government that must show the same level of commitment to Europe. It is time for all social democratic forces to work together towards these principles and act to counter the continued presence of the extreme far right Golden Dawn”.
The PES President took part last week in the PASOK rally in Athens, where he said that; “PASOK has contributed greatly to bring the change that we are starting to see in Europe, and they have done so while staying away from populism and false promises”.