Today finds the SYRIZA Progressive Alliance in a new internal landscape, as the challenge to party leader Stefanos Kasselakis by independent MP for Chania and former strong supporter, Pavlos Polakis, has dramatically altered the situation for the main opposition party.
Polakis: “I will prove useful”
During the first meeting of SYRIZA PS’s guiding body, discussing the party’s financial deadlock, Pavlos Polakis surprised everyone, especially Stefanos Kasselakis, by raising the issue of leadership. He stated, “With the current situation in the party, we cannot seriously pursue significant governmental change. We are producing much more gossip than political direction,” adding pointedly, “I will prove useful.”
Kasselakis’ Countermove
In response, SYRIZA PS leader Stefanos Kasselakis initially appeared caught off guard, stating, “I’m not picking up the gauntlet; if anyone wants to, they can bring a no-confidence motion to the Central Committee.” Later, he posted a lengthy message on social media, trying to appease Pavlos Polakis while criticizing the “87.” However, Kasselakis’ efforts to calm the independent MP from Chania and, more importantly, that portion of SYRIZA PS’s base—particularly active on social media—that seems to have shifted in favor of Polakis, has not been easy. The “Polakistas,” referring to the SYRIZA PS members and voters who support Polakis, are furious about Kasselakis’ decision to expel him from the party’s Parliamentary Group.
Despite Kasselakis’ comment yesterday that “I will meet with Pavlos, no matter how things turn out,” and his simultaneous suggestion that the “87” should leave the party, Polakis quickly responded in an uncompromising manner. “This situation cannot continue,” Polakis remarked, highlighting the leaked audio in which he raised the leadership issue in the Political Secretariat, confirming that he has made up his mind to step forward against his former ally.
The Reasons
Polakis’ challenge is primarily rooted in Kasselakis’ inability to confront the government head-on and potentially force its downfall. Polakis emphasized that “we need to move beyond moralizing behavior and abstract ideological discussions on every right and issue. We must establish a clear political line to bring down the Mitsotakis government.” In this context, Polakis also stressed the need for a new programmatic framework for SYRIZA PS, stating, “We need a program that is easily understood by the people, socially necessary, in conflict with corruption, and one that brings hope to the younger generation. Unfortunately, our current leadership cannot guarantee that. That’s why major changes are needed soon. As for me, I will do everything I can to ensure that.”
The “Warning”
As previously reported by protothema.gr, Pavlos Polakis had indirectly “warned” the SYRIZA PS leadership about its mistakes and omissions leading to the European election defeat. In his first interview after the election results on Attica TV, Polakis commented, “In my opinion, Stefanos’ mistakes include overexposing his personal life, financial situation, and choice of partner. These two issues cost us electorally, and I believe he understands that and will make corrective moves.”
However, Stefanos Kasselakis does not seem to have grasped the significance of his former ally’s criticism, as he proceeded to expel Polakis from the SYRIZA PS Parliamentary Group—a move that became a casus belli for a significant portion of Polakis’ supporters and marked the beginning of Polakis’ distancing himself from the party, culminating in his decision to openly challenge Kasselakis.
Defense and Discomfort
For his part, Kasselakis posted on social media yesterday, stating, “I entered politics alone; I am not a faction leader, nor do I have a guard or a faction. And I will not become the leader of a guard or a faction,” indirectly referring to his predecessor, Alexis Tsipras, and the members loyal to him. He added, “Anyone who wants to challenge me again is welcome,” despite the fact that the leadership crisis was sparked from within, by one of the prominent former “Kasselistas” members, Pavlos Polakis.
