Tensions are still running high between SYRIZA’s leader Alexis Tsipras and the head of the Left platform Panagiotis Lafazanis. Despite assurances from both sides that there will be a moratorium in view of the European elections and spirits will calm, during yesterday’s session of the political secretariat the two men clashed once more, this time over the candidate list of the European ballot. Mr. Lafazanis objected to the proposal of the leadership to include in the ballot Kriton Arsenis, causing the… explosive reaction of Tsipras, who accused the MP of constantly raising issues and questioning the choices of leadership.
Tsipras blamed Mr. Lafazanis for creating a climate of introversion in the party shortly before the elections in May, debating even the issue of the euro. According to information, he also challenged him… to settle their differences at a special meeting of the central committee, or even at a conference.
Mr. Lafazanis, probably surprised by the persistence of the leadership team to include Kriton Arsenis in the ballot, attempted to calm the spirits by reassuring Tsipras that he does not debate the euro issue and that he always speaks through the institutions of the party.
The intense conversation ended with a vote on the nomination of Mr. Arsenis – which was finally approved – while Mr. Lafazanis left shortly afterwards .
The political secretariat  adopted unanimously five nominations and the ballot will include the president of Medecins du Monde Nikitas Kanakis, the president of the Greek Paralympic Committee George Foundoulakis, Academic Pepi Rigopoulou, the Avgi reporter George Kiritsis and labour law specialist Maria Karamessini.
For the two vacant spots, the leadership still awaits Lakis Lazopoulos’s response and a representative of the Muslim minority in Thrace is also expected to be included.