On Monday, PASOK lawmakers Milena Apostolaki and Michalis Katrinis joined the other three politicians who declared their intention to contest for the position of party leader in this year's election, which is set for October 6.

“I am putting all my efforts into being a candidate for the leadership,” Mrs. Apostolaki said. “The country needs political change. PASOK can become its agent of progress again, and this must be our goal. This will be my goal, as I pointed out at the Central Committee meeting, and I will fight for it.”

Mr. Katrinis said his goal is for PASOK “to respond to the mature request of progressive citizens for an alternative proposal for government. A proposal that can inspire, compose, and conquer.”

The two MPs are the successors of former Culture Minister Pavlos Geroulanos and current Athens Mayor Haris Doukas, who declared on Sunday that they would challenge PASOK President Nikos Androulakis.

Mr. Androulakis proposed that the leadership contest, originally scheduled to take place at the end of 2025, be moved to October 6 this year. A second round will take place on October 13 if no candidate obtains the absolute majority of votes. His proposal was accepted.