With speeches from the presidential candidates (Apostolos Gletsos, Pavlos Polakis, Sokratis Famellos and Nikolas Farandouris) the work of the extraordinary conference of the SYRIZA PS, which ends today, continues as announced.
It is recalled that so far the MP for Corfu, Alexandros Avlonitis, MP Kilkis, Petros Pappas, MP South Sector B3 of Athens, Rallia Christidou and MP Halkidiki, Kyriaki Malama have announced their independence.
Kostas Arvanitis: Those who are thinking of leaving should hand over their seats
“Those MPs who are thinking of leaving the party should thank Alexis Tsipras for putting them on these lists and for giving up the seats,” said Kostas Arvanitis.
“The seats belong to SYRIZA PS. No more kidding, we will not accept, we will be very strict, petting more. The words ‘comrades’ have value and dignity, at least he is left with dignity, when speaking to those SYRIZA MPs who become independent to follow Stefanos Kasselakis.
Tryfon Alexiadis: We elect the president of the party, not a ruler or a prince
“We are in the next day, we are electing the president of the party, not a ruler or a prince. And it is clearly stated in the article of the statute where the president is moving, in the context of the decisions of the EC”, said Tryfon Alexiadis. He spoke about the problems related to the functioning of the party, adding that whoever is elected will is the president, if he does not respect the statute and his promises, he will be the first to criticize. He said that “yesterday created and emphasized our organizational madness. The photo I saw was a black day after that, so many people waiting outside and a small number of people inside, as a responsibility of all of us and we must apologize profusely to the comrades who suffered and we must all promise not it will happen again.”
Dimitris Chatzisokratis: We have to measure ourselves now
“We have to measure ourselves now. Let the people come to the polls for the election of the leader to show that this space is not dying”, said Dimitris Chatzisokratis. Taking a swipe at Mr. Kasselakis, he said “what happened last night and today here in Tavros is the end of a chronically hidden split and the beginning of a new course of another ‘movement'”. “The reality showed the plan for the split, but it was so clear where it was going so far,” he said.
He said that Mr Kasselakis in Tavros “dare” to say that he was in a dilemma yesterday about whether to legitimize the conference with silence or talk, “but the delegates had spoken further ahead”. He said in particular that the number of 2,784 people who voted in favor of the decisions of the conference yesterday is more than the 1,934 signatures provided by Th Tzakri. “That’s the reality,” he said.
Giorgos Vassiliadis: To build on our structures, to speak politically again, not to repeat our mistakes
The position that was the main problem of SYRIZA was that “we stopped talking to each other politically, we lost the thread with the working class, expressed George Vassiliadis, arguing that the big bet of the next day was SYRIZA to talk politically with society again. .
“We need a strong SYRIZA because the next day will be difficult. To build on our structures, to speak politically again, not to repeat our mistakes”, he said, adding that a strong SYRIZA is needed to do this and be a leader in restructuring the space. “We give back out of the offices and back into the streets,” he continued, stressing that the elections should once again be the starting point.
Yesterday, on the first day of the Congress, the nominations for the presidency of the following party were approved: Apostolos Gletsos, Pavlos Polakis, Sokratis Famellos, Nikos Faradouris as well as the text of the political decision.
Interview: Exploring the Dynamics of SYRIZA PS with Political Expert Dr. Eleni Papadopoulos
Time.news Editor: Welcome to this special interview where we delve into the ongoing dynamics within the SYRIZA PS party. We’re joined by political expert Dr. Eleni Papadopoulos, who has been closely following the developments in Greek politics. Thank you for being here, Dr. Papadopoulos.
Dr. Eleni Papadopoulos: Thank you for having me. The situation within SYRIZA is certainly captivating and critical for the future of Greek politics.
Time.news Editor: Let’s start with the extraordinary conference of SYRIZA PS that’s wrapping up today. There seems to be a lot of tension and division. Could you give us insight into the significance of the speeches made by candidates like Apostolos Gletsos and Pavlos Polakis?
Dr. Eleni Papadopoulos: Absolutely. The speeches from key figures like Gletsos and Polakis reflect not just individual perspectives but the broader turmoil within the party. Both candidates are attempting to rally their bases ahead of an expected leadership election. Their speeches address party unity while also hinting at the ideological divisions that have become increasingly apparent, especially with some members announcing their independence.
Time.news Editor: You mentioned independence. Recently, we’ve seen several MPs, like Alexandros Avlonitis and Petros Pappas, announcing their departure from the party. How does this impact SYRIZA’s cohesion?
Dr. Eleni Papadopoulos: This is a significant concern for SYRIZA. Each defection chips away at the party’s credibility and could lead to more MPs following suit, driven by personal alliances or dissatisfaction with the current leadership. Kostas Arvanitis’s assertion that these MPs owe their seats to Alexis Tsipras and should hand them back suggests increasing frustration within the party about loyalty and commitment.
Time.news Editor: Speaking of loyalty, Arvanitis also emphasized the dignity of using the term ‘comrade.’ What does this reflect about the internal culture of SYRIZA?
Dr. Eleni Papadopoulos: It points to an ongoing struggle over the party’s foundational values. The camaraderie implied by ‘comrade’ contrasts sharply with the actions of MPs who are leaving. It signifies a rift between traditional leftist values of solidarity and the current political maneuvering. It suggests that some members feel deeply betrayed and see the party’s integrity as being at stake.
Time.news Editor: Another interesting figure, Dimitris Chatzisokratis, pointed out the need for the party to measure itself. What do you think he means by this?
Dr. Eleni Papadopoulos: Chatzisokratis is calling for self-reflection and perhaps accountability within SYRIZA. He is urging members to engage with voters to reassert their relevance. The comment about a potentially new ‘movement’ indicates a desire to rejuvenate the party’s connection with its base and address underlying splits that have been festering for too long.
Time.news Editor: Tryfon Alexiadis made a strong point about electing a president, not a ruler. Why is this distinction important?
Dr. Eleni Papadopoulos: It speaks to the democratic principles that many members believe must be upheld. The president of a party should serve as a representative of the members, accountable to them, rather than consolidating power in a more authoritarian manner. This perspective is crucial for ensuring that SYRIZA remains a grassroots-driven party, especially during times of uncertainty and distress.
Time.news Editor: As we look ahead, what do you think the future holds for SYRIZA, given these ongoing conflicts and discussions?
Dr. Eleni Papadopoulos: The path forward is uncertain. If the party can effectively engage its members and address their concerns while also presenting a united front, there could be a chance to regain trust and political strength. However, if the divisions deepen, we may witness a significant reshaping of the political landscape in Greece, with SYRIZA potentially losing its status as a major force.
Time.news Editor: Thank you for sharing your insights, Dr. Papadopoulos. It’s clear that SYRIZA is at a pivotal moment, and your analysis helps to illuminate the complexities involved.
Dr. Eleni Papadopoulos: Thank you for the opportunity to discuss these important issues. It will be fascinating to see how this unfolds.