PASOK is teetering on the edge of division following the disciplinary referral of former minister Katerina Batzeli, which has triggered a wave of internal reactions.

The decision to be taken at tomorrow’s meeting of the Disciplinary Committee, where Ms. Batzeli has been summoned to provide an explanation, will largely shape the internal climate of the party—especially at a time when PASOK is showing downward trends in the polls. Nikos Androulakis requested her referral to the committee, where 8 out of 11 members are considered aligned with his leadership. They will decide whether her case warrants a simple reprimand or a suspension of party membership. Ms. Batzeli has been asked by the party’s Secretary, Andreas Spyropoulos, to retract her statement in which she appeared to agree with SYRIZA’s Nikos Pappas, who had suggested that someone was “pulling Mr. Androulakis by the right lapel” and that was why he firmly refused any dialogue on potential coalitions. So far, Batzeli has not withdrawn her statement, nor has she received a formal written charge—something she is expected to request in a letter to the Ethics Committee before the session.

Tensions are running high in the party as everyone awaits the committee’s decision. Three of its members, aligned with Haris Doukas, argue that the referral has not been adequately justified and consider it excessive. Doukas’ team had already voiced open disagreement with Androulakis’ move as early as Saturday. Referring to other recent controversial statements by PASOK members that were not referred for disciplinary review, they argue there cannot be “double standards.” Doukas even alluded—albeit indirectly—to previous statements by Pavlos Geroulanos, prompting a pointed response from the party’s parliamentary representative.

Though the Doukas camp did not publicly support Batzeli’s remarks, they strongly objected to what they see as targeted disciplinary action against members who supported Doukas in last October’s leadership contest. Reportedly, before the backlash erupted, Doukas contacted Geroulanos, but their phone discussion did not result in a joint statement—unlike a similar case in the past. Geroulanos has yet to take a firm position on Batzeli’s referral, but has urged PASOK to focus on the major issues concerning citizens so the party can become the leading political force in the upcoming elections.

“The bar for expulsion must be the same for everyone,” insists Manolis Christodoulakis, who supported Doukas in the leadership race. In an interview with Action24, Christodoulakis said, “I personally would not have made the same statement” as Batzeli, and called for a strong fight to make PASOK the top party in the national elections. He added that only if PASOK comes first—but without a majority—should it then seek coalition partners, excluding New Democracy from that list.

Since his return from the U.S. yesterday afternoon, Androulakis has reportedly been in contact with key party figures. While he solicited their opinions, sources believe he had already made up his mind over the weekend and is now weighing his options. Those trying to see the big picture believe this is not the time for displays of force, as PASOK is in need of unity and collective action. “The image of introversion hurts PASOK,” said party spokesman Kostas Tsoukalas yesterday, while Androulakis’ close associate Nikos Milis added that “certain circles must stop fueling tension,” and that the Ethics Committee alone will determine whether Batzeli should be expelled.

All sides now seem to be attempting to avoid pouring more fuel on the fire. For tomorrow—the day of the Disciplinary Committee’s session—PASOK’s central office is placing its public focus on the parliamentary debate on defense procurement programs, as well as on internal party activities. The disciplinary meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m., while one hour earlier, a meeting of the party’s newly appointed sector heads—chaired by Secretary Andreas Spyropoulos and including Anna Diamantopoulou and Lefteris Karkimakis—will take place at the party HQ. Notably, Diamantopoulou (head of PASOK’s political planning) has deliberately refrained from commenting on the Batzeli case, though she is known to have exchanged views with other members of the political center and the party leadership.

Some within PASOK argue that whatever the outcome—whether it’s a show of strength or reconciliation—the party’s internal image won’t improve unless the leadership takes concrete steps toward unity and collective action, through regular meetings of its elected bodies.