In a tactical move, Sokrates Famellos is attempting to take control of developments within SYRIZA, as recent days have seen intensifying reports that party members opposed to his leadership have been collecting signatures to convene the party’s Central Committee once again.
SYRIZA: Famellos responds to Polakis, Pappas and Dourou at the Political Secretariat
The SYRIZA leader has today called a meeting of the Political Secretariat to discuss the implementation of the Central Committee’s June 6th decision on alignment with the Greek Left Alliance. At the meeting, Sokrates Famellos will outline the timeline for putting the Central Committee’s decision into action — though the outlook does not look particularly promising for the party, given that voters appear to be gravitating toward Alexis Tsipras’ new political movement.
In reality, however, the SYRIZA leader’s move is a direct response to Pavlos Polakis, Nikos Pappas, and Rena Dourou, who have challenged the Central Committee’s decision on the grounds that it is neither clear nor workable. Famellos will attempt today to codify the committee’s decision and define exactly how support for Alexis Tsipras’ party will be put into practice.
Behind the scenes: Polakis’ signature drive for a new Central Committee
It is worth noting that over the past 24 hours, conflicting reports have emerged regarding whether Pavlos Polakis has gathered the 70 signatures required to reconvene the Central Committee within 15 days. Some sources claim that the document being circulated — which contains only a request to convene the committee, with no direct challenge to the party leader — has already gathered around 90 signatures, and will be formally submitted immediately after Alexis Tsipras’ National Council meeting. Those backing this scenario believe that the National Council session of the former prime minister’s party could prompt some Central Committee members to resign, potentially handing Polakis’ faction a majority.
The opposing side, however, maintains that the required signatures have not yet been collected — arguing that if they had been, those in opposition would have already submitted them to force the issue. They also contend that the balance of power within the Central Committee has not shifted and is unlikely to do so, as SYRIZA’s members are not expected to leave the party, at least for the foreseeable future.
Both the MP from Chania and Nikos Pappas, Rena Dourou, and Tryfon Alexiadis are expected to wait and hear the SYRIZA leader’s position before responding. Sokrates Famellos is also anticipated to be asked whether he has been in contact with Alexis Tsipras.
Pappas: “There’s no way we’re skipping the Thessaloniki International Fair”
“There is simply no way we won’t be attending the Thessaloniki International Fair. No one has been instructed to hide our platform. We will be there, and we must present our programme,” Nikos Pappas stated in an interview.
Giannoуlis: “Tsipras himself must give the answer”
Christos Giannoulis, speaking on ACTION 24 and referring to SYRIZA’s outreach to the Greek Left Alliance, stressed that a response cannot be sought through public interpretations or statements from third parties. “I believe that the answer to this political proposal must come from Alexis Tsipras himself — for political and historical reasons, and out of respect for his own journey,” he said.
Meïkópoulos: Support for the strategic rapprochement with Tsipras
Alexandros Meïkópoulos once again came out in favour of alignment with Alexis Tsipras in an interview with ANT1. “Our political strategy for the period ahead is to stand alongside a political force that, in my view, is increasingly emerging as a credible alternative.”
