Next Thursday, according to sources, SYRIZA‘s Political Secretariat is expected to convene to discuss once again the situation prevailing in the party after Alexis Tsipras‘ resignation and the scenarios for creating a new party. Given that several party officials appeared, even publicly, to declare themselves “present” for the possibility of a new venture by Alexis Tsipras, and as other officials, like Pavlos Polakis, considered Sokratis Famellos’ initial reaction lukewarm, it was decided to reopen discussion on the matter to ensure a unified line.
Until Thursday, however, many behind-the-scenes processes are expected, as representatives of both views existing within SYRIZA don’t want to back down, though the majority leans toward a cool-headed stance regarding Tsipras’ venture. Everyone, however, acknowledges that Sokratis Famellos finds himself in a particularly difficult position, as he must reconcile all views to prevent his party from falling into a new crisis. Recently, he appears to have shifted from the initial “we are not opponents of Alexis Tsipras” to stating that a new political venture is not among the congress decisions.
“I assumed the presidency of SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance with the goal and commitment to keep the party standing, with consistency and seriousness, to shake off unreliability and contribute to our country’s progressive solution. To make this happen, a strong SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance is required, both catalyst and guarantee of Progressive Greece. This is my proposal. This is our collective decision. This is our priority,” he said in a recent interview.
SYRIZA: The recommendations Famellos receives – Two views set to clash in Political Secretariat
According to sources, several people recommend he remain calm and not align with Pavlos Polakis, who has anyway decided on even a “heroic exit” from the party, though others believe he will stay to contest it.
The same people insist that SYRIZA should buy time, given that no one knows how the former prime minister wants to move. Therefore, both Sokratis Famellos and the MPs and officials should continue their political and parliamentary work, mounting tough opposition to the government and insisting on the progressive cooperation narrative. However, in the Political Secretariat meeting, it’s certain that two views will clash: those expressing officials who have no luck in Tsipras’ venture (Polakis, Pappas, Dourou) and those who believe any move by the former prime minister includes them.
It should be noted that three of the SYRIZA president’s closest associates, party secretary Stergios Kalpakis, his office director Thanasis Theocharopoulos, and party press spokesman Kostas Zachariades, align with this view, while SYRIZA parliamentary group secretary Dionysis Kalamatanos, parliament vice-president Olga Gerovasili, former press spokesman Giorgos Karameros, and the party’s Political Planning head Giannis Ragousis agree with the tactic of “doing our job without confrontations with Alexis Tsipras.”
Giannis Ragousis has even expressed the view to freeze congress decisions pending Tsipras’ moves, a proposal not adopted by the majority of officials. It’s worth noting, however, that if the Political Secretariat adopts any text that leaves barbs for Alexis Tsipras, resignations cannot be ruled out.
Sokratis Famellos appears to want to send his own message, continuing his tours throughout Greece. Thus, today and tomorrow he will visit Drama, Komotini and Alexandroupoli, within the framework of the nationwide campaign decided by the Central Committee, aimed at presenting the “Progressive Greece” program.
