The message that everything required must be done as there is not enough time left to create a progressive governance proposal was sent by SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance president Sokratis Famellos speaking on Parapolitika 90.1 and the show “Apenanti Mikrofona” with Vassilis Skouris and Sotiris Xenakis. The SYRIZA president gave a timeline of 2-3 months for the movement toward a unified political proposal to take “flesh and bones,” saying that it doesn’t matter who will be the leader, emphasizing that SYRIZA sets no preconditions for this dialogue, while noting that developments must occur with the goal of removing Kyriakos Mitsotakis from governing the country “at all costs.”
Referring to Zoe Konstantopoulou, he pointed out that he does not include her in this invitation, as the programmatic declarations of parties play a role, while regarding Maria Karystianos, he noted that he does not consider her an opponent, distinguishing in any case the prospect of her entry into politics from the Tempe tragedy, while emphasizing that this choice now puts her in the crosshairs of criticism.
Regarding Nina Kasimati and her presence at the reception of the frigate “Kimon,” he emphasized that “there was no party discipline,” characterizing the overall scene as a “fiesta.” Regarding Nikos Androulakis, he launched certain “barbs,” characterizing as “wrong” the view that “he can beat Kyriakos Mitsotakis alone,” without however closing the door to PASOK regarding the processes for forming the progressive pole.
Excerpts from Sokratis Famellos’ interview on Parapolitika 90.1
Asked about processes in the opposition and whether there is an alternative solution, he notes that “there must be effective opposition, because both in polls and in relation to daily life, the government is not doing well.” There is a problem of “political crisis,” there must be a proposal from the opposition that provides a solution. With fragmentation, there can be no solution, society tells us “work it out, reach an agreement,” for a progressive solution. Both I and SYRIZA have said: “This government must leave as soon as possible, in its place there must be a progressive solution, there must be a unifying ballot, a progressive pole that will provide a governmental proposal, this is what we’re looking for,” said Sokratis Famellos.
“Welcoming all those who come from the progressive world,” he noted, mentioning that Mr. Androulakis will be judged for his position on autonomy. “Mr. Androulakis and PASOK have been stubbornly refusing cooperation proposals for a year now, this view doesn’t help, it’s wrong, because there is no prospect in the view that he can beat Kyriakos Mitsotakis alone. The question in the next elections, which must happen quickly, is whether we will have progressive governance in this country,” he noted.
Asked whether the proposal for progressive governance includes Karystianos-Konstantopoulou, he said he did not include Zoe Konstantopoulou in parliamentary initiatives, our proposal concerns parties where there is a programmatic basis regarding their orientation. “We don’t want to involve Mrs. Karystianos’ future with the Tempe issue, her choice now inevitably puts her under criticism, we don’t yet have all the elements about the new party,” he noted. “We don’t put Mrs. Karystianos among our opponents. Two things that are evaluated negatively are that “today there is agreement between the government and the opposition,” something I consider unjustified, because it puts the opposition in the same bag with scandals, OPEKEPE etc. And the second is that she put in the same bag New Democracy that bankrupted the country and SYRIZA, which brought the country out of the memorandums,” he said at another point.
To Mr. Georgiadis’ point that she comes from the right-wing space, but also from progressive figures that her position is anti-political, Mr. Famellos said that the view “everyone is the same” is anti-political, but it’s still early to judge her.
“We don’t close the door to PASOK, we persist in the proposal, despite Mr. Androulakis’ party egoism,” he said, while regarding Varoufakis he noted that he himself feels he is very far from these initiatives. For the progressive proposal, there are PASOK and New Left and a series of extra-parliamentary actions (Louka Katseli, Nikos Kotzias, Petros Kokkalis).
Regarding possible cooperation with Alexis Tsipras, Mr. Famellos’ view is that there should be a progressive proposal that will provide a progressive solution. We are all important factors in a rich puzzle, a progressive governance proposal will “awaken” Greek society. Alexis Tsipras’ role is very important in this unifying effort.
Regarding whether there will be a difference from SYRIZA’s prospect when it governed, he said that now there must be much broader cooperation, today’s proposal is wider and more unifying, not accepting comparisons with the past. “We will make our effort, everyone is judged, we have little time until the election announcement, but now we must go further,” he noted, referring to the progressive governance proposal.
Regarding which person could lead, he emphasized that we’re putting the cart before the horse, as no party has yet agreed to such a plan. It’s more important to agree on a unifying, progressive proposal and there will be agreement on both the person and the program, provided this agreement exists.
SYRIZA has a clear proposal, we will definitely pursue this goal, Sokratis Famellos repeated, referring to whether Alexis Tsipras will run with his own party and whether this would mean that SYRIZA will not seek voters’ support.
Regarding the criticism SYRIZA made about the reception of the frigate “Kimon,” he said this frigate was in the SYRIZA government’s planning, the contracts were delayed, while he pointed out that SYRIZA voted positively and that it strengthens the country’s defense. “The fiesta wasn’t necessary, Mr. Mitsotakis is hiding the EAV issue and the problems with staff shortages. We don’t believe in a war economy logic,” he said.
“There was no question of party discipline” he mentioned regarding Nina Kasimati’s presence, saying he chose not to send a person to the “fiesta,” as he characterized it.
“Nikos Farantouris’ expulsion has as its only reason his failure to commit that he would represent SYRIZA and its voters in Parliament, I communicated with Mr. Farantouris the previous evening and since he wouldn’t commit to the above, I proceeded with his expulsion,” said Mr. Famellos.
To Farantouris’ point on Parapolitika 90.1 that SYRIZA has MPs who are preparing to go to Tsipras’ party and not himself, he emphasized that the goal is to create the progressive governance proposal. Everyone needs to be careful with statements, but there is no anti-party stance.
To the point that Kyriakos Mitsotakis and New Democracy reach 28% in polls and the rest are much further behind, maintaining a lead while entering the seventh year of governance, he said we are at the center “of a major political and economic crisis,” with 70% of citizens in polls answering that they feel there is a “corruption government.” “Facing the ballot box, there could be a major downfall for Kyriakos Mitsotakis and other formations may emerge,” not necessarily progressive ones, said Mr. Famellos. “We no longer have time, 2025 has passed, it’s a matter of a few months to have a formed progressive governance proposal in society.”
The announcement of the cooperation initiative will give hope to people and will show in polls. “People tell us work it out, so we can survive, SYRIZA says we are ready to sit at the table now and talk.”
Mr. Famellos avoided answering whether Alexis Tsipras will proceed with forming a party. “In addition to the surprise element, a government socially delegitimized for at least six months, we don’t know when it will receive the final blow. There is no stability,” he emphasized, repeating that there is no time for the progressive governance proposal.
At the same time, he avoided talking about “post-election scenarios” regarding the possibility of New Democracy emerging as the first party in elections. At the same time, the scenario of PASOK emerging first “has short legs,” he said.
This is a period with many open political developments, there are public platforms for all persons, let’s give some time for a discussion to happen, giving a horizon of 2-3 months. “Society, when the citizen says he can’t make ends meet, doesn’t give us time to wait.” “Let everyone take their responsibility,” he added.
“There are many ways for who will be the head of this governance proposal, beyond the base, there are also understandings,” he noted.
Regarding whether the plan for a unified proposal fails and SYRIZA runs autonomously, Mr. Famellos emphasized that he cannot talk about his plan and have it fail, emphasizing that a possible third governmental term for Kyriakos Mitsotakis must be avoided “at all costs.”
Everything depends on politics, let citizens not devalue their relationship with it, let them participate, not leave representatives who manage chairs and careers to play games behind their backs.
To a question about Article 86, the government chose this article to prevent investigation against its ministers.
“New Democracy used the vote we had given to change some articles in 2019, so that in 2023 it could make some changes, such as having essentially a single-party President of the Republic. Loopholes must not be opened for the permanence of civil servants, the public character of Universities or the environment. The safest way to avoid this is progressive governance,” he said in conclusion.
