The internal crisis within SYRIZA is deepening as the party shows signs of disintegration following its decision to support Alexis Tsipras’s initiative. Resignations and departures are now hitting even the inner circle of Sokrates Famellos, while leadership reshuffles within the party are accelerating.
Changes in SYRIZA’s parliamentary group
During today’s parliamentary group session, Sokrates Famellos made significant announcements that are reshaping the landscape within SYRIZA. Following the removal of Pavlos Polakis from the parliamentary group, it was now Nikos Pappas’s turn to be replaced from his position as the party’s parliamentary spokesperson.
This decision comes as no surprise, given that Nikos Pappas has maintained an open confrontation with the party leader. Taking his place as new parliamentary spokespersons are Kostas Barkas and Theophilos Xanthopoulos, in an effort to rebuild the party’s leadership.
The backstory behind the Famellos-Pappas split
The removal seemed inevitable, as Nikos Pappas himself has not stopped publicly criticizing Famellos’s choices. Speaking yesterday on Parapolitika 90.1, while he did say that “there is no question of a motion of censure against Sokrates Famellos,” he was quick to add that “there is, however, a great need for him to explain how he understands his role going forward. Alexis Tsipras said that the historical chapter of SYRIZA has closed — and he made that statement one hour after Sokrates Famellos’s position that SYRIZA supports ELAS. No one can pretend they don’t understand what that means.” He also argued that SYRIZA’s decision to support ELAS contains gaps and does not appear to be workable, while calling for an immediate meeting of the party’s Political Secretariat to be briefed on the progress of ongoing contacts.
New press spokesperson replaces Zachariadis
Alongside the changes in the parliamentary group, the replacement of Kostas Zachariadis as SYRIZA’s press spokesperson was also announced. Christos Giannoulis will be taking over the role, confirming reports that had previously been published by Eleni Kalogeropoulou.
Tensions escalate amid Polakis’s statements
The atmosphere within SYRIZA is vividly captured in the moves made by Pavlos Polakis. Through a video posted on social media, the former MP called on members of the parliamentary group to choose their path without delay.
Sokrates Famellos’s response came during the closed-door parliamentary group session: “I will not allow someone I have expelled to issue blackmailing ultimatums.” At the same session, the removal of Nikos Pappas from the critical position of parliamentary spokesperson was also announced.
