GREECE'S ruling socialist party will elect a new prime minister today to replace Mr Andreas Papandreou, the ailing party founder who reshaped the country's post second World War political landscape.
Four socialists will vie for the premiership when the parliamentary group meets to elect a new leader. Mr Papandreou (76) resigned in poor health on Monday.
Officials said deputies of the 170 member group would be present for the voting to pick a new parliamentary leader, but effectively electing the new prime minister.
The winner will get a mandate from President Costis Stephanopoulos to form a government and will then face a confidence vote in parliament.
The election will be the first real test of strength between party reformers, led by the former industry minister, Mr Costas Simitis, and he party's traditionalists and Papandreou loyalists.
Mr Simitis (59) is the favourite in opinion polls to replace Mr Papandreou.
He was a founding member of Pasok and has been in every socialist cabinet, leading ministries ranging from agriculture and economy to education and industry.
His toughest rival will be the Defence Minister, Mr Gerassimos Arsenis (64), a Papandreou loyalist who is likely to retain much of the cabinet and follow present policies.
Mr Yannis Charalambopoulos (76), a former deputy prime minister and defence minister, will also run but has almost no chance of winning.
The fourth candidate is Mr Akis Tsohatzopoulos (56), who served for years as the party's general secretary.
Meanwhile, Mr Papandreou's wife, Ms Dimitra Liani (40), lashed out at her opponents yesterday, saying she was not afraid of threats of revenge now that her ailing husband and protector had resigned.
"I have little to lose. Those who fight me are so small and cowardly. What are they going to do? Burn me at the stake? Let them. Put me in jail? Let them", she told 01 magazine. "I won't be terrorised by all this."