Sokratis Famellos took up the gauntlet thrown at him in recent days by minority figures within SYRIZA who criticized him for servility. The trigger for this serious accusation was the Central Committee’s decision, which accepted the SYRIZA president’s proposal for the Koumoundourou party to support Alexis Tsipras’s initiative.
Famellos: Response to accusations of “servility” toward Tsipras
Sokratis Famellos, speaking during a joint meeting of the Organizational Office with coordinators of Regional Committees, categorically rejected circulating dissolution scenarios, arguing that social channels remain open. He characterized these scenarios as unfounded, noting that with autonomous electoral logic, the party would be burdened with accusations of not contributing to efforts for progressive change in the country. He further stated that the Central Committee’s decision primarily addresses citizens and their demand for overthrowing the Mitsotakis government and achieving political change in the country. The SYRIZA-PS president emphasized that the party chose to stand alongside Alexis Tsipras’s initiative in a comradely manner, actively supporting it. This choice, he argued, is based on the conviction that it can lead to creating a progressive government. He also clarified that the unity strategy constitutes his permanent, stable, and public position.
According to the SYRIZA-PS president, this choice represents the only continuity scenario for the party. Only through a large and strong progressive coalition can the continuity of SYRIZA’s ideas and legacy be ensured. This, he emphasized, is also the demand of the party’s social base, as well as his personal commitment and obligation.
Rena Dourou or Pavlos Polakis? Scenarios for the next leadership
Meanwhile, while Pavlos Polakis, Nikos Pappas, and Rena Dourou may have united against Sokratis Famellos, wanting to prove that the SYRIZA president has decided to suspend their party’s operations for his own benefit, the next day is not expected to find them together. This is because among the three, there is disagreement about who should lead SYRIZA if they manage to take it from the majority. Rena Dourou appears interested in leading the new effort, however many argue she lacks the appropriate qualifications to get SYRIZA into Parliament. Those who support her say Rena Dourou could cooperate with New Left figures and leftists outside parties to create a political entity capable of competing for citizens’ votes in upcoming elections. Pavlos Polakis does not seem to share this view, as the vast majority of those disagreeing with Sokratis Famellos believe the Chania MP could get SYRIZA into Parliament, at least in the first election. This is discussed among SYRIZA officials, as they recognize that Pavlos Polakis has the ability to rally the popular left around him.
The plan to challenge Famellos and the possibility of an emergency congress
The three, however, currently agree that developments in SYRIZA must happen as soon as possible to organize for SYRIZA’s next phase. In this context, they continue daily hammering against Sokratis Famellos. Their goal is, if no developments occur by next week, to challenge the party president by demanding an emergency congress.
Accusations of secret agreement between Famellos and Tsipras
In his Wednesday interview, Pavlos Polakis insisted that behind the story of supporting ELAS lies Alexis Tsipras. “I believe there has been an agreement that no one publicly admits, otherwise the decision is a display of servility,” he characteristically stated and added: “There is no historical precedent for a party president to say he supports another party. I consider this deeply wrong. I’m not doing police reporting, but it’s obvious that you cannot state you support another party while there hasn’t been some understanding, and simultaneously have Koufonikola saying we don’t want cooperation.”
The Chania MP argued that SYRIZA must run in the next elections. He specifically pointed out that “Famellos, after the Central Committee’s decision, must bring an agreement with Tsipras and tell us what’s happening. ‘Supporting a party’ means I have negotiated, I have laid down proposals and positions. Because I haven’t seen Alexis Tsipras’s positions. He should bring an agreement or negotiation with Tsipras’s ELAS within the next 10 days. If he doesn’t bring it, this bastard situation cannot continue to exist. If he doesn’t bring it, there should be a meeting of the Political Secretariat and Central Committee to consider the data.”
