The first “harsh criticisms” from former allies of Alexis Tsipras have begun following the release of the former prime minister’s book, where he details the role played by his close associates during his time in office. Euclid Tsakalotos appeared in an interview to “empty” the Tsipras leadership, Efi Achtsioglou, with whom he is now in the New Left, as well as himself. The former SYRIZA finance minister initially stated that “Mr. Tsipras is not from virgin birth. He has his history. I want to know from Mr. Tsipras why after the memorandum we implemented and exited we got 31.5% and after four years in opposition we got 17.8%. Do you know Mr. Tsipras’ answer? I don’t know it.”
However, Euclid Tsakalotos’ turnaround caused particular sensation, who, although he was former finance minister in the SYRIZA government and responsible for the Economy circle when his party was in opposition, referring to SYRIZA’s 2023 program said it was not costed. “If you want, even in economics, our program, I couldn’t say when I was… it was uncosted. Because we thought that, come on, we’re in opposition, we can say something more,” he characteristically stated. It should be noted that at that time SYRIZA’s economy spokesperson was Efi Achtsioglou, with whom Euclid Tsakalotos is now in the same party.
What SYRIZA comments on Tsakalotos’ statement – The reference with Tsipras as “backdrop”
As SYRIZA officials commented, it is puzzling why Euclid Tsakalotos didn’t say this then as the responsible person for SYRIZA’s economic circle. As the same people noted, obviously this reference has to do with the former prime minister’s book and what he writes inside about the role some officials played at that time.
At the same time, the SYRIZA Political Secretariat meeting is postponed for next week, as Socrates Famellos does not wish the party to enter introspection again. Given that Pavlos Polakis appears ready to criticize his comrades for how they handled Tsipras’ resignation, the SYRIZA president appears not to want to open the discussion at this particular moment.
Polakis’ cryptic post
The Chania MP, however, made a particularly cryptic post three days ago from the inflatable boat, crossing the sea. In it, commenting on what Alexis Tsipras said about “beautiful seas,” he meaningfully stated: “Beautiful seas… we’ve been traveling them for years… both with rough seas and storms… and alone…” SYRIZA officials point out that obviously this reference is open to much discussion, especially the word “alone.”
Socrates Famellos, however, appeared in an interview to want to stop any reactions, keeping some distance from Alexis Tsipras’ move. “It wasn’t the plan that SYRIZA had formulated. And we had it and two days before voted unanimously in the Central Committee. From what has been expressed so far there is a common goal. That is, a progressive ballot to change the government in Greece. I keep this as positive. There are enough things that need to be said. They are parallel paths, it’s not the same perspective,” said the SYRIZA president and made it clear he won’t deviate from the alliance line he has drawn so far: “I believe, and I say it clearly, in the historical and social political necessity of SYRIZA. I think a strong SYRIZA can help substantially, because it can transcend party limits, I’ve done it personally, and we can have progressive cooperation in Greece. I won’t stop trying.”
