(Bloomberg) -- George Papandreou, who as Greek prime minister applied for the country’s first bailout program in 2010, is now trying to return to the center of the country’s political stage a decade after stepping down as premier by running as a candidate to lead the Movement of Change party.

“We need a new change. For the citizens and the country,” Papandreou said in a televised statement Wednesday when he announced his candidacy for the leadership of the party. “I will contribute with all my powers to make our party big and strong again,” he added. 

Papandreou ruled Greece from October 2009 until November 2011 when he stepped down and supported the coalition government of Lucas Papademos. Until 2012, he remained president of the socialist Pasok party, which was founded by his father and former prime minister Andreas. In 2017, Pasok joined the center-left alliance Movement of Change. Today Papandreou is a lawmaker for the party and is also president of Socialist International.

Six other candidates are also in the race to lead Movement of Change. The first round of elections is scheduled to take place Dec. 5 and if no one secures a majority of votes, a second ballot will be held a week later.

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