A warlike atmosphere prevails once again in SYRIZA, with the majority of the “87” formally excluding Kasselakis from candidacy in the party’s Political Secretariat, having declared Apostolos Gkletsos, Pavlos Polakis, Socrates Famelos, and Nikos Farandouri as presidential candidates.
However, supporters of the former SYRIZA president have once again scheduled a meeting for the conference, issuing a “leak” filled with poisonous implications. Specifically, the Kasselistas stated:
“Stefanos Kasselakis will be a presidential candidate. No matter how much the opportunistic majority in the Political Secretariat insists, the conference was and remains the supreme body and the only authority to decide on presidential nominations.”
Σήμερα η Πολιτική Γραμματεία με ξανα-ξανα-απέκλεισε από υποψήφιο για την Προεδρία του ΣΥΡΙΖΑ-ΠΣ.
— Stefanos Kasselakis – Στέφανος Κασσελάκης (@skasselakis) October 30, 2024
Αναρωτιέμαι πόσες φορές θα πρέπει να με αποκλείσουν για να καταλαγιάσει μέσα τους ο «φόβος» (όπως είπε σε τηλεοπτική εμφάνιση χθες στέλεχος του κόμματος) που τους προκαλεί η…
Following this, Stefanos Kasselakis himself posted about “two milestones,” the next weekend with the election of delegates and the weekend after that when the conference will take place. Furthermore, his supporters note that according to the statute, to conduct a vote on any issue, the signatures of 10% of the delegates are required.
On their part, the “87” controlling the Central Committee and the Political Secretariat of the party have proceeded—not only with the announcement of presidential candidates but also with the proclamation of a “hybrid” conference (i.e., with delegates participating via Zoom)—to be held at Gazi Live from November 8-10, anticipating that they will control the dynamics and “pass” the exclusion of Kasselakis.
The Secretariat’s Decision
The conference will also provide the opportunity for “digital participation,” emphasized in today’s decision by the Political Secretariat of SYRIZA, which officially announced the candidates for the party presidency.
It is stated that “after the deadline for submitting candidacies for the presidency of the party has passed, and according to the decisions of the Central Committee, the candidacies to be approved at the conference are from: Apostolos Gkletsos, Pavlos Polakis, Socrates Famelos, Nikos Farandouri,” at the same time noting that “the non-acceptance of collective decisions and provisions of the statute, and the legal actions against the Central Committee and the Political Secretariat, are politically incomprehensible choices.”
It is reminded that Stefanos Kasselakis has stated he will be a candidate for delegate, and those aligned with him indicate that the conference is sovereign and that they intend to provoke votes on all issues—from the motion of no confidence to his candidacy for leadership.
The Conference at Gazi Live
During the meeting, the selection of the multi-space “Gazi Live” with a capacity of over 3,000 people was “locked in,” while Theodora Tsakri raised issues regarding hybrid participation.
In this context, questions that arose are expected to be addressed at tomorrow’s meeting of the Central Organizing Committee of the Conference (KOES), which convenes tomorrow, while the Kasselakis camp raises concerns about the constitutionality of the decision. However, at the previous conference in February, Greeks abroad participated in a hybrid manner and voted.
On their part, Rena Dourou, Olympia Teligioridou, Pano Rigas, and Nikos Skorinis insisted on their stance that the political aspects of the decision should not be linked to organizational ones, while Pavlos Polakis voted in favor, and Theodora Tsakri opposed the entire proposal.
Regarding Party Media
“The media cannot be saved with just a room of money. A strategic investor is needed,” reportedly emphasized the party’s Chief Financial Officer, Christos Mavrokephalidis, while employees staged a protest.
The Political Secretariat of SYRIZA has prepared a statement that attempts to address general political issues, in an effort to show that the party is now focused on the real problems of society and not on internal matters.
The Political Secretariat of SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance convened today and reached the following decision:
The increase in the minimum wage is a major issue and cannot be used as a tool of governmental communication propaganda. Especially when an increase is presented as a critical intervention, it does not cover the new cost of living, as shaped by the energy and housing crises. The New Democracy government has already delayed for two years the incorporation of European Directive 2022/2041, which defines issues regarding the minimum wage and enhances the framework for collective negotiations. Since 2012, 14% of the private sector wage dynamics has been lost, while in our country, only 25% of workers are covered by collective labor agreements, whereas the European average is 45%, and the EU mentions an obligation for member states to reach the 80% target.
SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance calls for the immediate reinstatement of the framework that was in place until 2012 for collective labor agreements and the strong role of the OMED in arbitration. Our constant position is that social partners should be allowed to negotiate their issues freely, and the government should limit itself to providing a supportive framework for these processes.
At the same time, we request the strengthening of small and medium-sized enterprises through access to funding tools from which they remain excluded. The backbone of the national economy, which supports thousands of jobs, cannot be excluded from bank lending, from the NSRF, and from the Recovery Fund.
It is also noted that there remains the same necessity to support retirees, as about 2.5 million of them receive pensions that cannot exceed €550 net.
Finally, it is unacceptable for the country to want to enhance social dialogue among partners while New Democracy applies imputed taxation, which is based on the salaries of the employees a business employs. It is as if it fosters a conflict between the two parties, while European directives and international practice point in the completely opposite direction.
The initiation of the process of Constitutional Revision is imminent. However, the New Democracy government insists on keeping its aims secret. In such a critical issue, there cannot be closed cards. Mr. Mitsotakis must inform the national representation and the people about which articles he intends to bring for revision. Is he considering articles that protect public goods, such as water or education? Is it the article that protects the confidentiality of communications or the one that ensures the permanence of public servants?
The left and progressive world will not consent to such a revision. SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance has proposals and further strengthens them. In such a case, Mr. Mitsotakis will be led—perhaps this is what he is planning—to seek majorities with the far right.
Regarding the discussion about the Presidency of the Republic and the search for candidates, we are absolutely convinced that in our Democracy there are no taboos and that the time has come for a President of the Republic from the Left and the broader progressive faction. The elevation of such a person to the office of President of the Republic is a challenge and a goal that concerns all progressive forces, not just SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance.
Finally, on the occasion of the ongoing visit of the German President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, to Greece, we consider it essential that the Greek government continues to raise the issue of German reparations with the utmost intensity. Claiming them is, for us, a historical and moral duty. To close a heavy chapter between the two countries and to build a better future in our relations. We remind you that the Report-Conclusion of the Interparliamentary Committee for the determination of German reparations was unanimously voted by the Parliament in April 2019.
The recent meeting of Mr. Mitsotakis with Mr. Erdoğan in New York and the Prime Minister’s silence on the provocative remarks of the Turkish President and his associates have raised concerns in the country about what is happening in the negotiations behind closed doors. SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance has requested since September 28, through the president of its Parliamentary Group, to be informed by the Prime Minister, but so far the request has not been met.
However, developments in national issues require specific answers. Regarding the content of discussions with Turkey, the nature of the developments claimed by the Turkish leadership, how the “Calm Waters” can be compatible with the strategy of “Blue Homeland,” whether the Cyprus issue is at the top of our agenda and priorities, etc.
Turkey’s strategy is a revisionist strategy and absolutely incompatible with international law and tranquility in the region. Mr. Mitsotakis cannot expect a blank check from SYRIZA-PS, neither in Greek-Turkish relations nor, more generally, in matters of foreign policy. A return to a multi-dimensional, active, and peace-loving foreign policy, such as that implemented by the SYRIZA government from 2015 to 2019, is necessary. A policy with a beginning, middle, and end, based on International Law, keeping communication channels open, and not violating “red lines” is essential.
On Monday, October 28, 2024, we honored the heroic “No” of the Greek people against Italian fascism, which threatened our freedom and independence. We honored the heroic men and women of our national Resistance, who sacrificed and fought against the occupier and its local collaborators. It serves as a permanent reminder that our people were born, reborn, and fought in the continuous struggle against tyranny and its representatives, both foreign and domestic.
It is absolutely necessary to open the files of the Ministry of the Interior for the occupation period and to allow access to the files of the services and the Security Forces. The opportunity for access to the truth, as provided during the SYRIZA government, will contribute to the restoration of our historical and collective memory.
SYRIZA-PS proceeds methodically, democratically, with collectivity, and with absolute adherence to the statutory provisions in its extraordinary congress and in the election of the party president, according to the decisions of the Central Committee and the statutory provisions. The congress will also have the possibility of digital participation.
Unfortunately, during this process, phenomena incompatible with our common course were observed. The non-acceptance of collective decisions and the provisions of the statute, the extrajudicial actions against the central committee and the political secretariat, are politically incomprehensible choices.
The different misleading registries, the separate buildings, the references to coups and dictatorships are choices that are offensive to our history and competitive with our perspective. They are choices preparing another competitive party within SYRIZA-PS and its democratic processes.
After the deadline for submitting candidacies for the presidency of the party has passed and according to the decisions of the Central Committee, the candidacies for approval at the congress are: Apostolos Gkletsos, Pavlos Polakis, Socrates Famelos, Nikos Farandouri.
Through these processes, SYRIZA-PS will emerge stronger to fight with all its strength to honor the mandate of the Greek citizens for a reliable official opposition, forming a strong barrier against the anti-people plans of the Mitsotakis government.
