Stefanos Kasselakis, the President of SYRIZA PS, has extended a call to Parliament for collaborative efforts in crafting legislative proposals, aiming to engage both PASOK and the Freedom Movement. He asserts a significant role for his party in the ongoing discourse surrounding the coordination of progressive factions. Amidst the swift developments within the Center-Left spectrum, Mr. Kasselakis has dismissed the notion of “top-down agreements” and expressed reservations about progressive alliances, insisting on the necessity of establishing trust-building measures. He remains committed to steering SYRIZA towards an autonomous party with governing capabilities.

Nonetheless, Mr. Kasselakis indicated a willingness to step aside if diverse democratic factions were to reach a consensus, emphasizing that his position would not impede such unity efforts. He acknowledged the potential for a renewed leadership selection process within a broader progressive coalition and pledged to humbly and responsibly stand for re-election, underscoring the importance of grassroots support in shaping leadership decisions. Furthermore, he highlighted the strength of their base compared to the current far-right leadership in power.

In his initial assessment of the election outcome, Stefanos Kasselakis, the President of SYRIZA PS, made a resolute declaration today, articulating that he does not exult merely for the sake of celebration, as he believes it is imperative for SYRIZA and the progressive movement to take center stage. His vision is set on securing the lead for SYRIZA PS in the forthcoming 2027 national elections. He portrayed the current political landscape as a legitimate struggle against the prevailing tide, expressing his conviction that the future of the party lies in the hands of their candidates who engaged in the primary process, signaling an imminent renewal within the party’s ranks. During his address at the SYRIZA-PS Parliamentary Group meeting, he firmly stated, “Our objective is to surpass ND in the 2027 elections,” emphasizing that achieving victory requires concerted efforts to narrow the gap with ND across all electoral precincts leading up to the national elections. Mr. Kasselakis underscored that June 10 marked the dawn of a new political era and emphasized the decisive signals emanating from the ballot box.

Highlighting Mr. Mitsotakis’ decline by 13 percentage points over the past year, he proudly stated their success in dispelling the narrative of reaching only 41%, indicating that time is running out for Mr. Mitsotakis. Reflecting on the party’s resilience amidst internal discord and splits, Mr. Kasselakis acknowledged a 10 percentage point reduction in their differences, attributing it to their commitment to integrity, transparency, and a unifying political agenda. He reaffirmed his steadfast leadership, expressing his determination to lead until national transformation is achieved, citing the establishment of a robust social support network. Anticipating forthcoming reforms within SYRIZA, Mr. Kasselakis advocated for a revitalized, self-assured, and dynamic party, asserting SYRIZA as the natural dwelling place for progressive ideals, such as demonstrated through their advocacy for marriage equality legislation. He projected a bright future for SYRIZA, asserting that progress is irreversible.

Despite a slight decrease in electoral performance from the previous year, Mr. Kasselakis highlighted SYRIZA PS’ retention of its electoral share, attributing the decline to a reallocation of seats to other parties and notable losses in specific regions. Expressing skepticism towards blanket summit agreements with other progressive entities, he advocated for an organic, grassroots-driven approach to transformation, emphasizing the party’s evolution into a formidable political force. Acknowledging the importance of convergence with progressive citizens, he stressed the prerequisite of confidence-building measures and encouraged collaboration with other progressive Parliamentary Groups. Hinting at forthcoming changes within SYRIZA, he alluded to a scheduled Statutory Congress in the fall as a platform for imminent party transformations.

Furthermore, Stefanos Kasselakis asserted that, in the event of broader consensus within the progressive faction, relinquishing his own position would present minimal hindrance, expressing willingness to acknowledge any errors. Emphasizing the formation of a cohesive and substantial progressive democratic front essential for the country, Mr. Kasselakis unveiled a series of legislative endeavors, including initiatives related to housing, freelancer taxation, and Tempi. He extended an invitation to individuals holding political or trade union credentials to engage with SYRIZA PS, urging a review of their proposed policies following a nearly three-point loss in the recent elections. Additionally, he urged the European Socialists leadership to oppose Ursula von der Leyen’s candidacy. Concluding his address, Mr. Kasselakis advocated for an unwavering fight to amplify the voices of SYRIZA and the progressive faction. Notably absent from the meeting were Rena Dourou due to illness, Pavlos Polakis, and the former Prime Minister and President of SYRIZA PS, Alexis Tsipras, who was fulfilling prior commitments. Mr. Tsipras reportedly communicated his absence to the SYRIZA PS leadership in advance, while Mrs. Dourou also had an excused absence.