OPPOSITION PASOK'S NEW PLATFORM -- READY FOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L ATHENS 000512 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/08/2017 TAGS: PREL PGOV GR SUBJECT: OPPOSITION PASOK'S NEW PLATFORM -- READY FOR ELECTIONS? Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR ROBIN QUINVILLE. REASON: 1.4 (B) A ND (D). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou's new electoral party platform, introduced March 3-4 at a stadium-sized rally, contains a mix of ambitious proposals ranging from smaller government to 24/7 universal health care. Some press critics have dubbed it the "Sego platform," claiming that it is too expensive and unrealistic. With most voters focusing on pocketbook issues, Papandreou will need to convince wary voters that he can fund the changes he's proposing -- without adding to their economic burden. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) At a March 3-4 meeting of some 15,000 PASOK party members, opposition leader George Papandreou announced his new electoral party platform. Developed over the past several months by trusted Papandreou advisor Anna Diamandopoulou (formerly a Greek EU Commissioner),the sweeping program contains ambitious proposals designed to appeal beyond PASOK's traditional base. Key points include: -- Smaller government with fewer ministries and reform of local goverment through administrative re-districting; -- New laws on transparency and public spending; -- Educational reform and increased spending on schools; -- free internet access for all citizens; -- tax reform, including increased taxation of the wealthy; -- a minimal pension for all Greeks over age 65 who meet a set income threshold (as well as minimum pension for all farmers); -- universal government-run medical care "24/7, 365;" -- establishment of a Ministry for the Environment and new measures for environmental protection. ¶3. (SBU) Papandreou accused the Karamanlis government of nurturing special interests, lying to the Greek people and endangering the future of the country. He also -- indirectly -- castigated the media for portraying PASOK as "uneducated, unprepared and unable." ¶4. (U) The press, in turn, has begun calling the proposals the "Sego platform." Echoing critics of French socialist presidential candidate Segolene Royal's platform, they argue that PASOK's platform is both too expensive and unrealistic. As one veteran radio comentator put it: "This must be a platform for another country we do not know, one with plenty of cash to spare." ¶5. (C) COMMENT: Papandreou's platform is meant to demonstrate his ability to unify factions and lead the party firmly in a new, "modern" direction. While it was originally scheduled for unveiling at the end of January, Papandreou held off, conducting broad internal consultations on the final product. While it may now have backing from (most) of PASOK's fractious party leadership, it's an open question whether it will draw voters from beyond the party's traditional base. With pocketbook issues a key theme for the elections, Papandreou will need to demonstrate to cynical Greek voters that PASOK can implement some of its more far-reaching proposals without added cost to the average household. RIES