As many as 52 independent MPs are currently seeking a new political home, and with the reopening of the Greek Parliament, a wave of political realignments is expected to begin. Some are looking toward New Democracy, others toward PASOK, and a number are considering giving up their seats to join ELAS.
Bargaining and hopes: Independent MPs eye party transfers
However, some will choose to remain independent. Among them are MPs awaiting the launch of a new party by former Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, while rumors suggest that others may return to SYRIZA. The number of independents is expected to grow further, as Nina Kasimat — who is eyeing PASOK — and Olga Gerovassili — who has set her sights on ELAS — are certain to be added to the count.
The right-wing bloc
Given that the majority of independent MPs come from the center-left, and primarily from SYRIZA, there are very few cases that could realistically interest New Democracy. Looking at the 12 MPs who fall within the right-wing political spectrum, seven come from the Spartans party (Charis Katsivardas, Giorgos Manousos, Giannis Dimitrokalis, Dionysis Valtogianni, Giorgos Aspiotis, Michalis Gavgiotakis, and Konstantinos Floros). Nikos Vrettos and Nikos Papadopoulos were expelled from NIKI, Pavlos Sarakis was ousted from Greek Solution, while Antonis Samaras and Marios Salmas both originate from New Democracy.
Of the 12, only Charis Katsivardas has openly expressed a desire to join New Democracy, going so far as to describe the prospect of joining the governing majority as “a wish come true.”
Nevertheless, New Democracy is keeping its cards close to its chest and is currently avoiding the absorption of independent MPs, preferring to maintain its political autonomy in order to prevent internal friction. As for the two former New Democracy members, if Antonis Samaras ultimately announces the creation of a new political party, Marios Salmas is widely expected to join him.
The doors of PASOK’s Charilaou Trikoupi headquarters appear more open, with Evangelos Apostolakis and Nina Kasimat reportedly ready to make their entry into the party.
The Tzakri question
For now, however, there appears to be something of a “face control” policy in place at PASOK. Those watching Theodora Tzakri knock on the party’s door have noticed persistent internal resistance to her admission, with certain figures actively blocking her entry into the main opposition party. Others believe the objections being raised are not insurmountable and may ultimately be overcome. Meanwhile, discussions about joining PASOK are also taking place with former SYRIZA MPs Alexandros Avlonitis, Kyriaki Malama, and Giota Poulou, as well as with Myrto Korovesi, who was sworn in as an MP after taking over Giorgos Karameros’s seat and immediately declared her independence.
As for Chara Kafantari, she was quick to categorically deny reports and rumors suggesting she had been negotiating her entry into PASOK. This raises a series of questions: what is Kafantari’s next move? Will she turn toward ELAS? These are legitimate questions — because if she wants to join Alexis Tsipras’s new party, she would first have to give up her seat. ELAS, through Tsipras himself, has shut the door on sitting MPs, meaning that anyone wishing to join the former prime minister’s new party must first surrender their parliamentary mandate.
The decision over ELAS
The same path must be followed by other MPs who wish to join Tsipras’s ELAS, including Popi Tsapanidou, Athina Linou, Miltiades Zamparas, Giorgos Gavrilos, Andreas Panagiotopoulos, Dionysis Kalamatiantos, Charis Mamoulakis, Socrates Famellos, Kalliopi Vetta, Giorgos Psychogios, Alexandros Meikopoylos, Alexis Charisis, Kostas Barkas, Marina Kontotoli, Giannis Sarakiotis, Ferhat Ozgiur, Huseyin Zeybek, Eleni Karageorgopoulou, and Giannis Dragasakis — who took over Efi Achtsioglou’s seat and immediately declared independence.
Regarding Rena Dourou’s new political call to arms, this primarily concerns independent MPs Alexandros Avlonitis, Giota Poulou, and Kyriaki Malama — though the first two are said to believe they would be unable to win re-election under SYRIZA in their respective regions.
There are, of course, other noteworthy cases — such as that of Lesvos MP Panagiotis Paraskevaidis, who was expelled from PASOK over statements deemed too far to the right. He is reportedly seeking contacts with both Antonis Samaras and Kyriakos Velopoulos.
Originally published in Apogevmatini
