One week after Alexis Tsipras’ book presentation and the controversial “balcony” incident, SYRIZA‘s Parliamentary Group convenes today, with participation from Political Secretariat members and the party’s Central Committee. While the session officially addresses the Budget, discussions are expected to expand to other pressing issues that have occupied SYRIZA recently, including the party’s stance toward Tsipras’ initiative, the spatial politics issue that emerged during the book presentation, and the controversial Sunday Avgi newspaper headline.
Why SYRIZA’s Parliamentary Group convenes instead of the Political Secretariat
Many believe that at this critical moment, the Parliamentary Group is being assembled rather than the Political Secretariat because tensions can be more easily diffused among MPs than within the formal party organ. The way Socrates Famellos conducts his speech will be particularly significant – who applauds him and who opens the debate for confrontations. Inevitably, all eyes are on Pavlos Polakis, who after Tsipras’ book presentation and the balcony controversy openly expressed his disagreement with the former prime minister’s stance. Today will reveal whether the Chania MP has decided to escalate the situation by pushing things to extremes and criticizing Socrates Famellos for his approach so far.
Meanwhile, some expect the Avgi newspaper issue to be raised, especially since the dominant view within the party was that the Tsipras matter should be handled with restraint and composure. Conversely, Sunday Avgi appeared to operate under different logic, causing considerable complaints.
The newspaper’s former editor – who was removed after the headline “SYRIZA-Tsipras: parallel lives” – stated Tuesday that the front page perspective was journalistic and reflected the new landscape that has emerged. “No one sidelined me, nor did I sideline anyone. Neither did Mr. Famellos throughout this entire period ever pick up the phone to tell me ‘take this’ or ‘put that’ or ‘we’ll do this.'”
SYRIZA aims to lower tensions after “balcony” incident
It should be noted that, according to information, the newspaper’s front page goes to leadership team members every Friday evening. Usually no changes are made because there isn’t time, but last Friday the front page wasn’t sent to anyone. However, some have targeted media coordinator Yannis Boulekos, believing it’s impossible he didn’t have a preview of the front page, especially since the article he had written contained similar content. Regarding the balcony issue, the majority of Koumoundourou officials have been attempting to lower tensions over the past twenty-four hours. SYRIZA’s Parliamentary Group secretary emphasized Tuesday that “in the progressive space, in the Left, there are no spatial positioning issues.” Alexandros Meikópoulos stated about Alexis Tsipras that “for me, he’s not only essential, he should also take initiative in forming a new political vehicle,” while Vasilis Kokkalis mentioned in his interview with Parapolitika 90.1: “I was on the balcony, but I don’t consider myself aggrieved.”
