Alexis Tsipras’ associates viewed the large rally that took place in Ioannina last Saturday as a message about the next moves of the former prime minister, on the occasion of presenting his book “ITHACA“. The crowd, slogans and atmosphere at the rally exceeded all expectations and made even the most skeptical believe that the former prime minister should proceed to his next step at a rapid pace.
On Amalias street, however, they are waiting to see the next government moves, in order to determine whether Kyriakos Mitsotakis might set up ballot boxes in the fall and, more specifically, in October or will go for 2027.
Tsipras in critical dilemma: New party foundation after Easter or September
There are two scenarios in the former prime minister’s staff regarding when Alexis Tsipras will announce his new party. Many argue that March or, at the latest, after Easter is a good date, while others believe that September 1st is the right moment, as this political event will steal the spotlight at the Thessaloniki International Fair. In the coming period, obviously, Alexis Tsipras will have to decide what he will do and based on what timeline he will move.
The Ioannina rally had another element of particular interest. The fact that SYRIZA officials and MPs were in the front rows, while, as is known, at the PALLAS presentation they were on the balcony. Particularly significant was also the essence of his speech in Ioannina, as the former prime minister addressed progressive parties not to offer consensus to the prime minister’s plans for the upcoming Constitutional Revision. “Can the wolf guard the sheep? Can Mitsotakis proceed with major reforms?”, he characteristically stated.
He wondered who will proceed with the reforms that the country really needs. “Those who made the Constitution waste paper with wiretapping and manipulation of Justice and Independent Authorities? Those who covered up Tempe? Who plunged the country into corruption and are not accountable to anyone? Or those who completely ignored Article 16 of the Constitution?”
He noted that “progressive forces should not only refuse to follow the slippery road of consensus in Mr. Mitsotakis’ games, but must isolate and cancel this pursuit by any legal means. Only a clear democratic-progressive majority, which will emerge from the next elections, can and must proceed with the necessary constitutional and institutional reforms, in the direction of democracy, protection of public goods, in the direction of equality in rights and opportunities, in the direction of Justice”.
Political stance
Regarding his political stance, Alexis Tsipras established a clear political framework, clarifying that he does not address everyone and, mainly, does not address the “comfortable ones”, but those who are today in a difficult position and on the margins. He also spoke openly about the reconstruction and re-establishment of a governing left-progressive coalition, without presenting an easy path in this direction. He attacked Kyriakos Mitsotakis, defended his government’s achievements, while speaking with specific proposals, such as “Transparency”, as well as his positions on the future of the Greek periphery.
