Christidou‘s Rally for the SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance is (also) a thing of the past, after all episodic happened at the party’s Conference on Friday (8/11).
Petros Pappas and Alexandros Avlonitis also left the party, with the developments in SYRIZA coming fast and the new split in full swing. withdrawal the former president, Stefanos Kasselakis, also announced that he was leaving the party and forming a new movement.
“An unprecedented scene has now taken place here. On the ground floor there are about 600 people who entered the hall through the back door, secretly. All this world you see has been here since one o’clock in the afternoon and they all knew each other. We were here, at the front door. Those who decided to praise the formation of the bureau, therefore entered through the back door. This is not democratic,” said Rallia Christidou, emotionally charged.
“Those who waited patiently for so many hours are not crowds, they are not people of the euro, but people who supported SYRIZA, deputies who were legally elected by the vote of the Greek people. They were voted for, chosen by the people. And they were separated. Not even half of them were allowed to enter the room in the building and as many were kept alone, in a room above the ground floor, with the screens off, not being able to express and say their views about the presidency”, he said.
“As you can understand, 600-700 people decided the presidium and the legally elected deputies present were 2000 people. A stick was filed with the signatures of all of us, 2000 real people, with names, addresses and phone numbers,” he said.
“This is unacceptable, this is unacceptable, it offends me personally as an MP, as a democratic citizen, as a member of this party since 2008. I supported all my comrades and comrades , those who stayed and those who left”, he said.
“I have no business staying in such a party,” he said.
Interview: Analyzing the Current Turmoil in SYRIZA – A Conversation with Political Analyst Dr. Maria Nikopoulos
Time.news Editor: Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Nikopoulos. The recent developments within SYRIZA have been quite tumultuous. Could you give us a brief overview of what transpired at the recent party conference?
Dr. Maria Nikopoulos: Absolutely! The SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance conference on November 8th turned chaotic as key figures, including former president Stefanos Kasselakis, announced their departure from the party. This triggered a significant ripple effect, leading to the exits of prominent members like Petros Pappas and Alexandros Avlonitis. The nature of these departures, particularly how they occurred through what has been described as a secretive entry of about 600 discontented members, raises questions about the party’s internal dynamics.
Time.news Editor: The idea of members entering through a back door certainly paints a vivid picture. What does this say about the current state of cohesion within SYRIZA?
Dr. Maria Nikopoulos: It suggests a lot of underlying tension and perhaps a lack of faith in the leadership. Such an unprecedented scene indicates that factions within the party are deeply divided concerning its future direction and leadership style. We are witnessing a scenario where loyalty to the party seems to be in decline, and the fracturing within SYRIZA could lead to its long-term instability.
Time.news Editor: With Kasselakis leading the charge for a new movement, how do you see this impacting SYRIZA’s identity going forward?
Dr. Maria Nikopoulos: Kasselakis’s departure and the formation of a new movement could significantly redefine the political landscape in Greece. SYRIZA has traditionally positioned itself as a leftist alternative, but this schism might create a vacuum. There’s also the risk of splinter groups emerging, which could dilute the party’s power and message. Depending on how Kasselakis rallies support, we could see the rise of a new political entity that may draw away traditional SYRIZA voters.
Time.news Editor: It sounds like the fragmentation could lead to a rethinking of political alliances in Greece. What should we watch for in the near future?
Dr. Maria Nikopoulos: Definitely keep an eye on how these newly formed groups articulate their stances on key issues—economic policies, social justice, and governance. Public response to Kasselakis’s new movement is also crucial. If he successfully appeals to the disillusioned progressive base, it will heighten competition for SYRIZA. Moreover, observing how SYRIZA’s current leadership responds to these challenges will be telling. Will they adapt or double down on their existing strategies?
Time.news Editor: It seems we are entering a critical phase for both SYRIZA and potential new movements. Let’s talk about the public sentiment. What have you observed regarding voter reactions to this chaos?
Dr. Maria Nikopoulos: Voter sentiment often fluctuates in response to party instability. Currently, we might see increased skepticism among traditional SYRIZA supporters who may feel abandoned by the party’s rapid changes. If they perceive the party unable to unify and present a coherent alternative to the government, we may witness a shift in support towards more stable options, either existing parties or new formations emerging from this turmoil.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Dr. Nikopoulos, for your insights into these unfolding events. It will be fascinating to watch how SYRIZA navigates these challenges in the coming weeks and months.
Dr. Maria Nikopoulos: Thank you for having me. It’s a critical moment in Greek politics, and it’s certainly going to be interesting to see how this plays out!