The tsunami of realignments and upheavals in the center-left field has essentially begun just with the announcement of the founding of the Hellenic Left Alliance (HELAS). Right from the start, Mr. Tsipras’ party is already playing a leading role in the broader progressive space, catalytically influencing PASOK, which has entered into a permanent and even incomprehensible process of confrontation with the former prime minister, while developments within the week will be rapid both in SYRIZA and the New Left.
HELAS: Tsipras’ strategy and the directive for low tones against PASOK and SYRIZA
Information from Amalias indicates that Mr. Tsipras has given clear instructions to the figures who will initially represent HELAS in the media to keep low tones and not engage in confrontation with officials from PASOK, SYRIZA and the New Left. In other words, not to respond to attacks that the party and he personally are already receiving, unless they concern matters of ethical order. Even in these cases, however, the choice is selective response, as, for example, regarding what Stefanos Kasselakis says about black funds, they follow the method of dismissal and indifference.
The first bet in the current phase for Mr. Tsipras is for the new faces to “work out” for him. He is gradually building a showcase of officials who will represent the party, which primarily includes the five representatives: Theoni Koufonikoulou, Anna Papadopoulou, Nikos Nyfoudis, Kostas Karpouchtsis and Giorgos Balatsoukas. These are generally unknown figures without much media experience, which is why Mr. Tsipras’ associates are watching their first appearances with great anxiety. The difficulty level will naturally increase in the coming days, as the officials will gradually enter panels and won’t appear alone only with journalists. Beyond the five representatives, the list expands with other figures, such as Dimitris Liakos, Ioanna Laliotou, Aris Stylianou, Antonis Saoulidis, Katerina Berdou, Giorgos Siakantaris, Charis Tzimitras, Zacharoula Tsirigoti, Eugenia Fotoniata and others.
Why Tsipras keeps SYRIZA and New Left MPs on the sidelines
From the aforementioned, it emerges that there is no intention and, much more, no haste on Mr. Tsipras’ part to include experienced political figures from SYRIZA and the New Left in the party. In practice, the president of HELAS has lit an amber light for active MPs, awaiting the first conclusions from the presence and appearances of the new faces. The latter has particular importance for the philosophy of the venture, as from the first moment it is sought for Mr. Tsipras to convince broader sections of society that he is not doing a SYRIZA reunion and that his venture is based on “new materials.” Regarding the party’s structure, there is no haste in this either, with information indicating that the traditional Leninist organizational model will not be followed, with Central Committee, Political Bureau, etc. Some temporary formations will emerge, with emphasis on the program and organizational matters, and everything else is postponed until after the elections.
On the opposite side of Famellos, the wing of Pappas, Dourou and Polakis, which maintains an open channel with Kotzias and claims every seat of the party in the elections
New Left: Mass independence declarations by MPs
At the same time, this week will be catalytic for SYRIZA and the New Left. The New Left will cease to be considered a parliamentary party, as at least five MPs will declare independence: Alexis Charitsis, Efi Achtsioglou, Nasos Iliopoulos, Hussein Zeibek and Dimitris Tzanakopoulos, while it’s not ruled out that Meropi Tzoufi and Theano Fotiou might follow the same path. There has been no direct communication with Alexis Tsipras, however it’s estimated that around election time some of the aforementioned will be found on HELAS ballot papers.
SYRIZA: Famellos’ confrontation with the Pappas, Dourou and Polakis bloc
In SYRIZA things are absolutely confused. The Central Committee will convene on Saturday, with the clarification that whatever decision is taken will not bind Mr. Tsipras. Sokratis Famellos talks about cooperation with Mr. Tsipras’ party, but such a thing is rejected by the former prime minister. On the opposite side, the wing of Nikos Pappas, Rena Dourou and Pavlos Polakis, which appears to have formed, will claim to maintain SYRIZA, aiming for the party to normally run in elections. Indeed, there is a communication channel with former Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias, whom they have approached even for a leading role, while former Justice Minister Stavros Kontonis also participates in the processes.
The minority side maintains, according to information, that Mr. Famellos cannot continue to be president of SYRIZA, as he has proven inadequate throughout this period. According to the same sources, it appears there is communication with New Left officials who will not leave the party and simultaneously are not enthusiastic about the prospect of cooperation with MeRA25, which Gabriel Sakellaridis and Peti Perka prefer. In other words, the founding of a party by Mr. Tsipras shuffles the entire deck of the broader Left, while it might affect PASOK more than initially appeared. Especially if polls in the coming period show that its “displacement” from second place is becoming permanent.
Published in Sunday Afternoon
