G. Stathakis tells dissenters to resign

A government reshuffle seems possible following SYRIZA lawmakers refusal to back their own party’s proposals

Radical Left Coaltion (SYRIZA) Economy Minister George Stathakis said he’s confident that the EU partners will approve of Greece’s reform plans. Speaking on private MEGA TV, he warned that SYRIZA MPs who disagree should resign. “If a lawmaker of a leftist party disagrees with the policies of the government, they should follow the rules and if they strongly disagree resign their seat,” he said, adding that if he were in that predicament, he would resign.

His comments refered to 17 SYRIZA MPs that either opposed the reforms, abstained or were absent during the vote. Amongst those who abstained from voting on the the reforms were Energy Minister Panagiotis Lafazanis who heads the left platform whereas Parliamentary Speaker Zoe Konstantopoulou abstained from voting.

There is speculation as to how PM Alexis Tsipras will deal with dissenters in his own party. Will he preplace MPs who voted ‘No’ or who abstained by enforcing SYRIZA’s internal rule on paper. He may move cautiously and replace only the tw MPs who voted ‘No’. There’s even a chance that he may enlarge the governing coalition.