Alexis Tsipras, currently on a two-day visit to Crete, made an attempt yesterday to put an end to the escalating dispute with PASOK — a row that erupted after journalist Thanasis Karteros published an article in EFSYN questioning whether Nikos Androulakis was “stupid” for believing he could defeat New Democracy by a single vote. From the outset, SYRIZA’s (ELAS) spokeswoman maintained that the article clearly did not reflect the party leader’s views, while simultaneously defending the well-known journalist’s right to express his opinions freely. Yet the episode raised an uncomfortable question: does ELAS have any intention — beyond attacking the government — of also applying pressure on PASOK?
In his interview with KRITI TV, Alexis Tsipras appeared eager to draw a line under the controversy, stating: “I’m not picking a fight with anyone… Have you ever seen me attack Androulakis? I haven’t attacked him. You haven’t seen me come out and make accusations, launch attacks, or issue statements every day. Seven out of ten statements from PASOK officials are directed against ELAS.” Many observers point out, however, that Thanasis Karteros has never been one to follow the party line — he has always written his opinions plainly, even when they don’t sit well with Alexis Tsipras. Others note that Tsipras and Androulakis have had no contact whatsoever for at least three years.
Given the fierce competition for second place — driven primarily by the PASOK camp at Harilaou Trikoupi — all signs point to things getting worse before they get better. PASOK has set its sights firmly on claiming second place, while Tsipras insists that his main political rival remains Kyriakos Mitsotakis. ELAS spokeswoman Theoni Koufonikola responded today to PASOK’s announcement, in which officials from Harilaou Trikoupi called for Karteros to be expelled from the party. She described the demand as “particularly alarming,” stressing the columnist’s editorial independence. “Thanasis Karteros, regardless of his political history and personal relationships, has been known for years to write independently, expressing his own views in his own characteristically caustic style. Whether those views happen to align with the positions of a political party is one matter. To suggest, however, that they are dictated by its leadership is an entirely different thing — one that requires appropriate evidence,” the ELAS official stated. The ELAS spokeswoman also accused PASOK of attempting to weaponize the affair “as a distraction from the discussion that has taken place over recent days regarding the attack on Anna Papadopoulou.”
At the same time, PASOK — with a degree of overreach — chose to drag Panos Kammenos into the controversy, linking his latest attack on Nikos Androulakis to the Karteros article. The connection raised eyebrows, given that the former Defence Minister has repeatedly fired off criticism at the PASOK leader in the past — a feud that even resulted in Androulakis serving Kammenos with a legal notice back in 2024. “The baton of attacks against Nikos Androulakis, taken up by ELAS Political Committee member Karteros, was passed today to Mr. Kammenos — twice a coalition partner of Mr. Tsipras and now a supporter of Mitsotakis’s policies — the far-right Mr. Kammenos,” Harilaou Trikoupi stated once again. ELAS officials, for their part, accuse PASOK of serving New Democracy’s agenda through their tactics, with ND openly talking about the infighting for second place.
Author Giorgos Siakantaris, who wrote the party’s founding manifesto, distanced himself from Karteros’s article: “What saddens me, however, is that many who support ELAS — as I do — found it politically convenient not only to say nothing in condemnation, but to actually share that article… What a shame,” he wrote. Meanwhile, the flow of new members joining ELAS continues. Vasilis Kokkalis announced his membership yesterday, and Kostas Zachariadis is expected to follow suit within the coming hours.
