Those attempting to interpret the tension that has red-lined between Mitsotakis, Tsipras, and Androulakis, which is expected to culminate in the coming weeks, must know that the reason is singular: the upcoming opinion polls.
The catalyst was of course the opinion poll by Banking News.
As this completed cycle revealed that none of them met their objectives, they are expected to bring their final weapons to the table.
These are none other than the formula of tension, extreme statements, and a new round of accessions or candidate announcements.
Deadweights for the government
For his part, Kyriakos Mitsotakis has seen that he has stalled and has once again begun sliding downward.
High living costs and national issues are dragging him downward, and the narrative of stability does not appear to earn him points.
Although the operation to rally New Democracy across the entire country is in full swing, with Kyriakos Mitsotakis intensifying his tours while simultaneously attempting to close open fronts with social and local government bodies.
In Kalamata, the Prime Minister promised municipalities a funding package exceeding 500 million euros, at a time when international inflationary pressures are straining their budgets.
The package also includes an increase in the transient occupancy tax from 0.75% to 1%, while the government is in consultations with PPC for debt settlements up to 60 million euros and a special tariff for municipalities.
The blue mayors
The announcements arrived following the warning from the president of KEDE, Lazaros Kyrizoglou, regarding a funding shortfall of approximately 2.5 billion euros and the risk of financial asphyxiation in local governance due to rising energy costs, fuel, and operational expenses.
For the Maximos Mansion, restoring relations with the mayors carries clear political significance.
Local government constitutes a critical channel of communication with local communities, and the government seeks not to leave an open front with KEDE, as the pre-election mobilization of ND also passes through the municipalities and a work-to-rule strike by the blue local officials would impose a political cost on the governing party.
Tsipras changes tack
At the same time, Tsipras, who feels PASOK breathing down his neck and sees his plans for 18-20% failing to materialize as he also drops in polling percentages, is accelerating both political accessions and his leftward pivot.
His objective now is to capture the percentage he achieved in the last national elections as the head of SYRIZA.
His harsh rhetoric, marked by the phrase «shut up», illustrates the irritation present at Amalias, which notes during public appearances that ELAS is failing to draw crowds.
Nevertheless, Tsipras is searching for a prominent figure to announce who will demonstrate that, despite the current perception, he can rebound and lead the center-left space on election night.
Already, where he once spoke about the second round, he now speaks of victory from the very first Sunday in an effort to provide psychological boost.
Concurrently, within November, he is expected to announce a segment of his parliamentary candidates.
The anxiety of Androulakis
Finally, PASOK and Nikos Androulakis wish to overtake Alexis Tsipras before the end of the year.
He has secured the silence of potential challengers and is tallying «victories» in the Parliament, since unlike Tsipras, he commands a parliamentary group and serves as the leader of the official opposition.
Simultaneously, he is expected to complete the cycle of transfers to his party and announce the initial slate of his candidate lists as well.
During this period, he observes the escalating clash between the Maximos Mansion and Amalias, resulting in his fear that his gap with Tsipras may widen again, something that would bring back internal strife.
The agony of the candidates
Based on the above, all three figures, legitimately and for their own reasons, feel anxiety over how they will conclude the year in the polls.
This outcome will determine the following day on the road to the ballot box.
For now, the palpitation has transferred from party leaders to members of parliament and candidate MPs who are already initiating their own private polls.
Nikos Eleftheroglou
www.bankingnews.gr
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