In January 2015, a young and popular Alexis Tsipras he arrived in the office of the Greek prime minister to, as an example of what was to happen to the old continent, change everything Europe. This Sunday, his match, Syrizawill elect a new leader in primaries which, party leaders hope, will conclude the final year of knives in the backInternal disputes, splits and internal conflicts were broadcast in public.
There are four candidates to lead the historic left-wing party: Sokratis Famellosleader of the Syriza parliamentary group; Nikolas Farantourisparty MEP; Apostolos GletsosMember of the Greek Parliament and famous Greek actor; AND Pavlos Polakisveteran member of Syriza and former deputy minister of the Interior and Health in the two Tsipras governments.
One of them will be the successor of the party leader until now, Stefanos Kaselakiswho won another primary just a year ago. This former banker Goldman Sachswith a personalistic style, little dialog and distance from the bases, he was harshly criticized by the historical figures of Syriza, who saw the 36-year-old politician as a foreigner, who arrived from nowhere —Kaselakis lived most of his life in USA and speaks better English than Greek, and with very little political ideology.
Kaselakis, in fact, was expelled from the party leadership in September of this year extraordinary congress of the party had a motion of censure presented to the then leader of Syriza.
According to the Greek press, Kaselakis initially wanted to run again in the primaries which will be held this Sunday, but central committee of the training did not allow it. In response, the young politician formed a new party, which does not yet have a name.
“The September congress was a missed opportunity for dialog and reconciliation within the party. The growing ideological divide within the party was not just about Kaselakis’ leadership, but the fundamental question of what role Syriza should play in the party. contemporary Greek politics“, he writes Emilia Salvanuprofessor of University of Thessaly.
A political death
The foundation of the new Kaselakis formation will mark the third split of Syriza since the existence of the Greek formation, founded in 2012 like a party. In fact, with Kaselakis, several deputies of the Greek Parliament left, which led Syriza to equalize the deputies with the entercenter-left. Syriza lost – due to the resignation of the party’s parliamentarians – the position of opposition leadership. It’s the enter who now leads the groups against the sentence New Democracy (ND)commanded by the Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
The polls attest this: according to the average of the polls, Syriza is there 5% of the votes —In the last elections he obtained 20%—. It would be the fifth force and would be light years away from the two parties with the most voting intentions: the conservative ND, with the 30%; and the Pasok, with the 19%.
“Stéfanos Kaselakis, the man many saw as Messiah – he said this week Stelios Kulogluformer Syriza MP, will be remembered as the gravedigger who buried him the corpse of the game while what I had to do was monitor his health.
The war between Kaselakis and Syriza is currently such that the party this month called on its former leader to make public his declaration of assetsand asked the Greek prosecutor’s office to investigate whether Kaselakis did so shares and invested capital in companies offshore abroad.
“Many Syriza voters have now remained orphans —Salnunu considers—. And the emergence of new parties and movements on the Greek left does not further fragment the opposition to New Democracy. Meanwhile, Syriza seems to have completely lost dominance of its political space, and its new leadership will have to face the double challenge of rebuilding a new broken game and occupy an increasingly secondary role in Hellenic politics.
How can new leadership within Syriza effectively address the fragmentation and internal disputes currently facing the party?
Title: Navigating the Turbulent Waters of Greek Politics: An Interview with Political Expert Dr. Emilia Salvanu
Editor: Good afternoon, everyone! Welcome to another edition of Time.news. Today, we’re diving deep into the heart of Greece’s contemporary political landscape following some turbulent times for the left-wing party Syriza. We have with us Dr. Emilia Salvanu, a political analyst and professor at the University of Thessaly. Dr. Salvanu, thank you for joining us today!
Dr. Salvanu: Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to be here.
Editor: Let’s start with the recent primaries for Syriza. Can you give us an overview of the situation? What led to this point, and what are the stakes involved?
Dr. Salvanu: Absolutely. Syriza, which came to power under Alexis Tsipras in 2015, has gone through significant internal turmoil recently. The party is now facing the daunting challenge of electing a new leader amidst public internal disputes and ideological divides. Former leader Stefanos Kaselakis, who had a controversial tenure and was seen as somewhat disconnected from party foundations, has already been expelled. The new leadership will have to unify a party that is still grappling with its identity within contemporary Greek politics.
Editor: Kaselakis’ leadership has been quite polarizing. What do you believe were the main issues during his time?
Dr. Salvanu: Kaselakis, though charismatic, lacked a strong political ideology and was often criticized for his personalistic approach. His background as a former banker in Goldman Sachs raised eyebrows among party members who felt he did not represent their grassroots values. His leadership style, coupled with minimal dialog with party members, contributed to a sense of alienation within the party, leading to fractures that ultimately resulted in his expulsion.
Editor: So, with the upcoming primaries, what do you think the party should be looking for in a new leader?
Dr. Salvanu: The new leader must prioritize dialog and reconciliation within the party. They should be able to bridge the growing ideological divide and address the fundamental question of Syriza’s role in current Greek politics. They need to engage more directly with the base, rebuild trust, and articulate a clear, coherent vision that resonates with both party members and the electorate.
Editor: There are four candidates vying for the leadership—Sokratis Famellos, Nikolas Farantouris, Apostolos Gletsos, and Pavlos Polakis. Which of them do you think stands the best chance of successfully leading Syriza forward?
Dr. Salvanu: Each candidate brings unique strengths to the table. Sokratis Famellos has been a prominent figure in parliament and may have the experience needed for this moment. Nikolas Farantouris brings European perspectives as an MEP. Apostolos Gletsos adds a cultural dimension to the party, while Pavlos Polakis is a veteran with deep roots in Syriza. The success of any of these candidates will hinge on their ability to unite the factions within the party and present a clear ideological stance that can appeal to a broader electorate.
Editor: What does the emergence of a new party by Kaselakis signify for Syriza and for Greek politics at large?
Dr. Salvanu: Kaselakis’ decision to form a new party indicates a significant realignment within Greek politics. This marks the third split of Syriza since its founding in 2012, which shows the fragmentation of leftist politics in Greece. His new formation could siphon off support from Syriza and reshape the political landscape, especially if he can attract those disillusioned by the current state of Syriza. It also poses a challenge to Syriza’s ability to regain its standing as a credible opposition force against the ruling New Democracy party.
Editor: Given all these changes, how do you see Syriza’s future? Can it reclaim its position in Greek politics?
Dr. Salvanu: The road ahead is definitely challenging for Syriza. For it to reclaim its position, the party needs to fundamentally reassess its identity and operational strategies. If the new leader can foster unity, redefine party ideology, and reconnect with the electorate, there’s potential for recovery. However, internal cohesion will be crucial, especially with the emergence of new political entities. Only time will tell if Syriza can rise from its current challenges.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Salvanu, for your insights. It seems like a pivotal moment for Syriza and Greek politics as a whole. We appreciate your time today.
Dr. Salvanu: Thank you! It was my pleasure.
Editor: And thank you to our readers for joining us! Stay tuned for more analysis on the evolving political landscape in Greece and beyond.