In the midst of debates concerning the fate of Greece's center-left after the European elections, former minister Nikos Pappas expressed support on Monday for a partnership between the socialist PASOK and the main opposition SYRIZA in the upcoming national elections, drawing inspiration from the leftist alliance in France.

In an interview with Open TV, Pappas emphasized the significance of a meaningful conversation between SYRIZA and PASOK in order to present a united ticket and a joint prime minister candidate.

“There are two significant political forces, Syriza and Pasok, capable of triggering developments,” he said, urging the two center-left parties to engage in talks.

“We need electoral cooperation. Consider what happened in France, where parties with extensive histories spent four days in negotiations and reached agreements on candidates and platforms,” he pointed out.

The “Popular Front” alliance, formed after President Emmanuel Macron’s surprise call for parliamentary elections, includes the center-left Socialist Party, the Greens, the hard-left France Unbowed, and the Communist Party of France.

Pappas dismissed the idea of including the Syriza splinter party New Left in such a plan. He also expressed skepticism about the Course of Freedom party’s participation.