Today at noon at Freedom Park, at the EAT-ESA venue, comrades and friends are expected to bid farewell to the former SYRIZA minister and historic Left figure Alekos Flambouraris. Parliament Speaker Nikitas Kaklamanis, former Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, former Parliament President Nikos Voutsis and SYRIZA leader Sokratis Famellos are expected to attend the final farewell to Alekos Flambouraris, who passed away at age 87. Among those who will speak about him are his son, Michalis, resistance fighters, and other figures with whom he fought common battles.
Alekos Flambouraris: The struggles for SYRIZA and the past
Alekos Flambouraris stood out for his integrity, gentle soul, love for AEK football club and Aegina island. He arrived on the island in the 1970s as a civil engineer, constructing the Health Center, and never left since. There, for many summers with his family, he hosted Alexis Tsipras with his partner, Betty Baziana, and their two children, Phoivos and Orpheus-Ernesto. Over the years, especially when SYRIZA assumed power, the “Aegina circle” was formed, which for some had taken on mythical proportions, as the media believed that the most serious decisions were made at Alekos Flambouraris’ country house. Olga Gerovasili and Christos Spirtzis were among the closest companions of the circle. Lifelong friends.
Alekos Flambouraris’ political roots were in the Communist Party (KKE). Later he joined the Lambrakis Youth and was arrested for his anti-dictatorship activities. After the dictatorship, he joined KKE Interior, the United Left Coalition and later SYRIZA. Even during the harsh confrontations within SYRIZA, Alekos Flambouraris always tried with his gentle and conciliatory speech to defuse the situation. However, he did not hesitate to take a stand if he thought something was wrong or contrary to his ideology and principles. Those who knew him from the old days said that in reality he was a bon viveur, who liked to enjoy his coffee at “Dolce,” where he exchanged views with former comrades and lifelong companions.
Beside him he always had his wife, Evi Panotopoulou, who made sure “Alekos doesn’t get confused,” because, as she often said, “he keeps things inside and that’s not good.” His great love was his little granddaughter, with whom he liked to play during hours when he wasn’t talking politics. His relationship with Alexis Tsipras often monopolized media attention, as those who wanted to know how the former prime minister saw things asked what “Mr. Alekos” was saying. He was the person who was always beside Alexis Tsipras in both easy and difficult times. His opinion was of crucial importance, as the former prime minister understood that he was the only one who didn’t act with ulterior motives. He was the one who, when Alexis Tsipras expressed his desire to resign from party leadership, tried to dissuade him, without success. Throughout the last period, his anxiety was whether he could attend Alexis Tsipras’ book presentation, as the former prime minister had discussed it with him for hours.
At today’s funeral, figures from both SYRIZA and New Left are expected to attend, as Alekos Flambouraris maintained particularly good relations with his current and former comrades.
