Perhaps the most intense, controversial and unprecedented chapter in its history SYRIZAwas written today, inside and outside of Gazi Live, sealing the new split of the party, the departure of Stefanos Kasselakis from it, but also the announcement of a new body by the former president of SYRIZA.
Watch here minute by minute the first day of the conference
Hard rock on the Sacred Way
The crowd outside the multipurpose hall in Gazi started gathering from noon. It had been preceded by a call by Stefanos Kasselakis to his supporters who actually gathered on the sidewalks of the Sacred Way, alongside other comrades from the majority who had also made an appointment ahead of the process.
Almost three hours after the scheduled start time, Rania Svigou took the floor and introduced the presidium of the Conference. Supporters of Mr. Kasselakis, who were mainly on the outside, proceeded to shout and shout. Pushing, skirmishing and tensions took place outside the conference area, with the Kasselakis side claiming that the majority excluded delegates and entire member organizations.
St. Kasselakis, during the afternoon, twice showed up outside Gazi Live. On the first visit he took a “triumph lap” to greet his supporters who chanted slogans of “Stephen go ahead, change everything” and “Stephen remember, the base is with you”. In the second, he sent the message that the “VIPs” are meeting inside and the “commoners” are excluded outside, as he said.
Rupture
While people were still gathered outside the building and delegates were unable to enter, Rania Svigou announced the start of the conference. Koumoundourou and “87” argued that unelected followers of St. Kasselaki prevented delegates from entering the venue. The Kasselakis side denounced the exclusion of delegates and demanded the resignation of the Political Secretariat. Inside Gazi Live, a few dozen fans of Mr. Kasselakis created tension while Rania Svigou and Nikos Pappas spoke from the podium.
K.O. of SYRIZA spoke of an “organized plan of thuggery”. Theodora Tzakri submitted to the presidium a flag with signatures in favor of the Kasselakis candidacy, with Yiannis Mantzouranis rejecting it. In the meantime, the deputies Alexandros Avlonitis and Petros Pappas - both supporters of St. Kasselakis – became independent and was followed by a statement by Ralia Christidou stating that she does not fit in this party. The new split of SYRIZA has officially begun.
The four candidates started to take the floor and gradually the Kasselakis supporters left the conference hall. People continued to “attend” outside Gazi Live while gradually delegates from the majority managed to enter the space where anyway the conference is held hybridly. The supporters of Stefanos Kasselakis descended on Tavros where the former president of SYRIZA announced his departure from the party and the creation of the most “independent, ground-breaking movement in the country”.
In Tavros the “Kasselista” welcome the new party with applause and in Gazi the presidential candidates take the floor. Rep. Gletsos says “no, I don’t want Kasselakis to be a candidate, he doesn’t deserve it” and opens a dialogue with the speakers. Pavlos Polakis proceeds with self-criticism for his support for St. Kasselakis and clarifies that he is now also in favor of excluding the former president from the electoral process, something he did not share until recently. Developments would catch up with him. Sokratis Famellos sends a message of ”defense of the party” and culminates his speech by referring to the “legacy of the government of Alexis Tsipras” to applause. Nikolas Farandouris sends a message of unity and criticizes Kasselakis’ choice to create a new party.
And now what?
SYRIZA is now in danger of
The majority seems relieved after the final divorce with Stefanos Kasselakis, but the next day in Koumoundourou will be difficult. “I don’t know how we will be able to heal the wound of this last year,” commented an executive from the majority to “K”.
As for Stefanos Kasselakis, his decision to leave SYRIZA confirmed the information of the last few days that they wanted him to prepare a new party. Tomorrow at noon, there will be the first appointment in Taurus with his supporters to whom he promised a new movement without “priesthood”. Kasselakis’ reference to Alexis Tsipras was also of interest: “Last year my predecessor said that SYRIZA closed its historical cycle. Today SYRIZA closed its democratic cycle”.
The “Kasselakis” chapter for SYRIZA (and vice versa) is closed, the next day of the space is still a complex equation.
Interview between Time.news Editor and Political Expert on the Recent Developments in SYRIZA
Time.news Editor (TNE): Good afternoon, and welcome to our special feature. Today, we have with us Dr. Eleni Papadopoulos, a political analyst and expert on Greek politics. Eleni, thank you for joining us.
Dr. Eleni Papadopoulos (EP): Thank you for having me! It’s a tumultuous time in Greek politics, especially with what just unfolded in SYRIZA.
TNE: Absolutely! Let’s dive straight into it. SYRIZA has just experienced a significant split during its conference in Gazi Live. What do you think are the implications of Stefanos Kasselakis’s departure from SYRIZA?
EP: Kasselakis’s departure is monumental. It signifies not just a split in the party but heralds the potential formation of a new political identity that may attract a younger and more progressive base. By calling his movement “independent” and “ground-breaking,” he’s aiming to resonate with citizens who feel sidelined by traditional political structures.
TNE: There were reports of significant tensions outside the conference, with Kasselakis’s supporters feeling excluded. What does this say about the current state of cohesion within SYRIZA?
EP: It paints a picture of a deeply divided party. The conflicts over delegate access and accusations of exclusion indicate a fundamental breakdown of trust among party members. This is unprecedented for SYRIZA, which has prided itself on a grassroots approach. The notion that the “commoners” were pushed outside while “VIPs” held discussions inside is quite damaging to the party’s image.
TNE: Indeed. Rania Svigou, who initiated the conference, mentioned a “planned thuggery” from Kasselakis’s supporters. How could such accusations impact the party moving forward?
EP: Such accusations can deepen the rift between factions. Calling it “thuggery” suggests that the political atmosphere could become increasingly hostile, making internal reconciliation challenging. This conflict may lead to a scenario where both factions—those remaining in SYRIZA and the departing Kasselakis supporters—struggle to define the party’s future direction.
TNE: Kasselakis, during his public appearances, had his supporters chanting slogans. How crucial are these demonstrations of support in the political landscape?
EP: Public support is vital, especially in a leader’s attempt to forge a new path. These demonstrations not only provide momentum but also legitimize his stance as a leader. If he successfully channels this support into a viable political entity, it can significantly shift the balance in Greek politics.
TNE: Given the reported exclusion of Kasselakis’s delegates from the conference, what are the possible reactions from the broader electorate?
EP: Electorally, this could lead to alienation from the party for those who feel their voices are not heard. If SYRIZA continues to appear out of touch with its base, it risks losing critical support in upcoming elections. Conversely, if Kasselakis manages to establish a compelling narrative and platform for his new party, he could attract disenchanted SYRIZA voters.
TNE: We see that this situation continues to evolve; what do you predict will be the next steps for both factions?
EP: For Kasselakis, the immediate focus will be on solidifying his base and establishing a clear platform to attract broader support. For SYRIZA, they’ll need to address the internal divisions swiftly, perhaps by calling for unity or a reevaluation of their strategies to regain the trust of their electorate. This is critical if they want to maintain relevance in a changing political landscape.
TNE: Thank you, Eleni. Your insights provide a compelling look into the dynamics at play. As this situation unfolds, we’ll certainly be keeping an eye on both SYRIZA and Kasselakis’s new movement.
EP: Thank you for having me. It’s an exciting and complex moment for Greek politics, and I look forward to seeing how it develops.
TNE: And thank you to our viewers for joining us today. Stay tuned for more updates on this and other political developments!