SYRIZA officials appear particularly cautious about Nikos Androulakis’ “opening” to progressive forces, noting that the PASOK president’s proposal operates at a different level from what Socrates Famellos has submitted.
Some SYRIZA officials even characterize the “opening” made by the main opposition leader toward progressive parties as insulting, as they say he is not actually asking them to cooperate, but to join PASOK.
SYRIZA distances itself from PASOK: The “no” to Androulakis’ outreach, Tsipras’ shadows and the behind-the-scenes contacts
Let us recall that a few days ago, Nikos Androulakis appeared to issue a call to progressive democratic forces “to come together and fight together for political change,” while at the KOES session he mentioned that “at our congress there will be dialogue tables where I will invite other progressive parties to present their positions.”
SYRIZA officials say they too had invited PASOK to a round table at their own congress, while analyzing the reasons why Nikos Androulakis appears at this particular moment to make this “opening” they say that:
- First, the PASOK president is repositioning himself at this particular moment because he faces Tsipras’ party, which may potentially rally all progressive parties and progressive organizations around it. In reality, he is trying to get ahead of the former prime minister, who, everything indicates, is proceeding at rapid pace toward the next step.
- The second reason has to do with the inclusion of certain officials like Nina Kasimati in PASOK. In other words, Nikos Androulakis is attempting through this “opening” to show that he is proceeding with expanding his party by incorporating officials from other political organizations.
- The third reason, naturally, has to do with the internal party problems that Nikos Androulakis faces mainly with Haris Doukas, but also with Pavlos Geroulanos. SYRIZA officials say the fact that the Athens mayor brings up the issue of non-cooperation with ND almost daily forces Nikos Androulakis to make moves that show he is moving in the other direction.
- Moreover, Pavlos Geroulanos’ “needle,” which remains motionless, appears to have made the main opposition leader seek other tactics, hence the “opening” to progressive forces.
SYRIZA proposal
Koumoundourou officials remind that SYRIZA’s proposal as described by Socrates Famellos is addressed to PASOK-Movement for Change, New Left, Petros Kokkalis’ Kosmos, Nikos Kotzias’ Pratto and Louka Katseli, and not to Zoe Konstantopoulou and Yanis Varoufakis.
SYRIZA’s president, speaking about the proposal submitted by SYRIZA, has stated that “cooperation of progressive forces to have a progressive government in the next elections is the only solution to our country’s deep social and political crisis. There is no room for party selfishness, self-interest and dead-end solitary paths. Above party interest is social interest. And this is the only proposal that can inspire and give perspective and hope for a better future.
Our proposal receives social acceptance, but there are delays and refusals, so far, from progressive parties. (…) Those who refuse cooperation must explain to citizens why they give the kiss of life to a dangerous, corrupt right-wing government and leave room for anti-political choices. Our responsibility is historic.
In the unifying effort for a progressive governmental solution, Alexis Tsipras’ role is very important. He is the prime minister of SYRIZA’s government, the most honest government, which brought the country out of bankruptcy and memoranda, with a welfare state and significant foreign policy victories.
The reconstitution of the progressive space and cooperation of progressive forces does not conflict with SYRIZA-PS’s existence. It is a political goal we all agree on. Obviously care is needed in public statements by MPs, so this message is clear”.
