SYRIZA’s spokesman, Christos Giannoulis, spoke on Parapolitika 90.1 radio during the program “Εκείνη κι εγώ” with journalist Stella Gkantona. Among other things, he stressed that “despite his apology,” Pavlos Polakis had contributed to the “Kassellakis fiasco.” When asked whether he would remain in SYRIZA if Polakis were elected party leader, he replied: “That would be very difficult for me under those circumstances.”
Giannoulis on Polakis: “The consequences of the Kassellakis inner circle he belonged to are still visible”
Elaborating on the situation within SYRIZA, Christos Giannoulis noted: “All of this is heading toward a Russian roulette logic, with one bullet in the chamber that we must not pull. What is the one outcome we cannot afford?
To sink even deeper into introversion and fail to understand that the only solution — to serve what the majority of those who still see something in SYRIZA appears to want — is unity, solidarity, a clear programmatic vision, and a role that, come election time, will multiply the certainty that the current New Democracy government will not be re-elected. It is a historic responsibility for all of us to have every hammer strike the same anvil on election day.”
When asked whether he would remain in SYRIZA if Polakis were elected leader, he said: “That would be very difficult for me under those circumstances. Not because I have anything personal against Mr. Polakis — I believe the critical challenge is to combine dynamic rhetoric, strong argumentation, transparency, accountability, and a programmatic platform, while at the same time maintaining a consistency and stability that is not derailed by impulsive moments that often backfire. In other words, you can do everything right, and then with one misstep, spill the entire bucket of milk.”
“I believe SYRIZA is not finished, but in order to have a future — both electorally and politically — it must complete its recovery from the Kassellakis fiasco,” he added. Regarding the connection between the “Kassellakis fiasco” and Pavlos Polakis, he noted: “Despite his apology, he did contribute to it. It is to his credit that he admitted his mistake, but the consequences of the Kassellakis inner circle he was part of are still visible in the wounds that SYRIZA carries. I am not saying Polakis is the only one to blame.”
