Nikos Androulakis unveils PASOK pension and education reforms, warns of looming election stakes

PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis presented a detailed package of pension measures, including the restoration of the 13th pension for all retirees, a new solidarity contribution for low‑pension earners, a phased increase in replacement rates from 50 % to 60 % after 40 years of contributions, and a gradual 20 % cut in the pension solidarity levy. The plan is budgeted at roughly €1.1 billion for the first year, with total costs projected at €1.9 billion over three years. Androulakis also pledged a new basic pension (EKAS) for 380 000 low‑income retirees and a series of administrative reforms for pension funds.

In parallel, he criticised the government’s handling of the Recovery Fund, the management of water, energy and digital projects, and called the current political climate one of “lost opportunities, toxicity and corruption.” He urged citizens to back a “strong PASOK” that can deliver both political change and stability, noting that the months after the Thessaloniki International Fair will be “electoral months” in which elections could be called at any time.

PASOK’s spokesperson Kostas Tsoukalas seized on the recent European Prosecutor’s office indictments in the OPEKEPE scandal, describing the affair as a “blue” network organized by the prime minister’s inner circle and emphasizing that “justice now has a voice.” He dismissed the government’s request for an apology, framing the prosecutions as evidence of systemic corruption tied to the ruling party.

Together, these statements outline PASOK’s policy agenda on pensions and education, its critique of the incumbent administration, and its positioning ahead of the anticipated election period.