The Movement of Democratic Socialists[3][4] (Greek: Κίνημα
Δημοκρατών Σοσιαλιστών, Kinima Dimokraton Sosialiston) is a political party in Greece established on 3 January 2015 by George Papandreou after splitting from the Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK).[1][5] The party officially uses To Kinima (Το Κίνημα, "The Movement") as the party's name abbreviation, although several media outlets and opinion pollsters have referred to it using the acronym KIDISO (ΚΙΔΗΣΟ).[6]
The foundation of a new centre-left political party was announced on 2 January 2015 by George Papandreou, outgoing Member of the Hellenic Parliament and former Prime Minister of Greece, three weeks before the upcoming election to be held on 25 January.[8] This confirmed Papandreou's split from the Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK),[9] which he had led until being replaced as leader by Evangelos Venizelos in March 2012.[10] PASOK officials immediately denounced Papandreou's move as an "unethical and irrational political act", accusing Papandreou of fracturing PASOK and being motivated by personal ambition.[11][9]
A 16-page founding declaration, signed by 252 founding members[12] criticised the economic policies of the European institutions, supported the adoption of Eurobonds, and called for a "progressive, socialist, ecological Europe".[13]
On 27 August 2015, PASOK officially ruled out a proposed electoral pact with KIDISO for the upcoming September 2015 snap election.[15] On 2 September 2015, Papandreou stated that financial restrictions meant that KIDISO had ruled out contesting the election.[16]