Official Launch of Movement of 58

Yet, the attempt to unite such a disparate political spectrum ranging from the edges of the center-right to the edges of the communist left is a lot more difficult than it might seem.

Already displeasure is expressed by followers of former PASOK president and PM Geiorgos Papandreou who feel underrepresented in the “58” charter. Others like Thanos Moraitis expressed reservations, while others, like former PASOK ministers Anna Diamantopoulou and Giorgos who have called for the dissolution of all center-left parties, registered their disapproval by not appearing.

PASOK eurodeputy Marilena Koppa also voiced very negative sentiments posing a number of question that had to do with actual policy, while also keeping nebulous the relationship with SYRIZA. The same with former PASOK cadre Stefanos Tzoumakas who very vehemently pointed out that, “the paragons of the system of interwoven interests and the mutated policies of neo-liberalism and the memorandums are deluding themselves and are calculating without taking into account the desires of progressive people.”
However, a lot of skepticism within PASOK stems mainly from the negative stance of DIMAR and also how the transformation/inclusion of the party within a new scheme will proceed.

For DIMAR, however, former PM Kostas Simitis is a red flag, as he seems to have attempted to 'hijack' the movement through his statements of support. Despite the fact that many DIMAR members have signed the charter of the “58” and part of the movement, only MP Grigoris Psarianos was present at Monday night's function.

For many DIMAR members there is a discrepancy in the fact that the party is in the opposition and PASOk in the government, while for many others the movement is being compromised by the presence of figures tainted by their political past, who should be excluded or exclude themselves. Still, there are also discrepancies in the charter concerning the crucial subjects of collaborations and political boundaries.

For, others like Thessaloniki mayor Yannis Boutaris, the movement should also include members from SYRIZA, while those members of DIMAR that are eyeing cooperation with SYRIZA are vehemently against the “Movement of 58.”

One of the main stumbling blocks none of the delegates, representatives,and speakers failed to regard to any depth is the lack of support faced by the whole of the center-left, very vividly expressed by the lack of grass-root and youth support.