Members of SYRIZA‘s Political Secretariat appeared with two different political approaches regarding both Alexis Tsipras‘ new political initiative and the future operation of SYRIZA–Progressive Alliance, during one of the most critical meetings in the party’s history since it left government.

The tone for tomorrow’s Central Committee meeting was set by SYRIZA President Socrates Famellos. The key disagreement among senior party figures concerns whether SYRIZA should compete directly against Alexis Tsipras’ new party in the next national elections.

Seeking to open a channel toward Tsipras, Famellos stated that “the declaration and founding of the Greek Left Alliance constitute a major political event. It is a positive political development, and SYRIZA-PS does not view it in a confrontational manner.”

“This initiative mobilizes progressive citizens and contributes positively to the reconstruction of the progressive political space,” Famellos continued. He added that “in the effort to remove this corrupt and dangerous government and establish a progressive government, no one is expendable. Confrontation with the Greek Left Alliance would be a strategic mistake. We stand alongside this initiative, support it, and view it not as a competitor but as a comrade.”

“In this new framework, we are working to contribute to and participate in a broad unifying convergence and expression of progressive and democratic forces, collectives, and personalities, which is necessary for a victorious electoral battle against the Mitsotakis regime. Our goal and commitment is to preserve the historical political continuity of the ideas and legacy of SYRIZA-PS, the Radical Left, the Reformist Left, and the Progressive Alliance within a broader reconstruction and alignment of the progressive space, drawing on the historical experience of transformations within the left-progressive movement,” Famellos concluded.

“No” to an Opposing Electoral List

Deputy Speaker of Parliament Olga Gerovasili also argued that SYRIZA should not run an electoral list against Alexis Tsipras.

Similarly, party spokesperson Kostas Zachariadis stated that “it is unthinkable to run an opposing electoral list,” referring to Tsipras’ Greek Left Alliance. He added that “we must follow positively the processes of political reconstruction taking place around us and contribute positively to them—processes for which we have fought hard.”

Pappas: There Is a Need for Change

Taking the opposite view, former minister Nikos Pappas called on Famellos to contact Alexis Tsipras directly. According to reports, Pappas argued that change is needed rather than continuing the strategy that has reduced SYRIZA to such low levels of support.

He reportedly emphasized that no explanation has been given and asked Famellos to communicate with Tsipras so that the party leadership could officially learn the former prime minister’s intentions.

Famellos responded that “politics should be conducted through public statements.”

Polakis: A Unified Electoral List Without Borrowed Candidates

Acknowledging the existence of political disagreements within the party, MP Pavlos Polakis argued:

“Because the tactic of endless waiting leads to the gradual devaluation of SYRIZA-PS and inevitably to its dissolution, I call on everyone to make a political decision that publicly declares that SYRIZA-PS will still be here tomorrow, faithful to the Left’s vision of a better and fairer world.”

He added:

“We are putting an end to the liquidation of SYRIZA-PS. Our goal is a unified electoral list of progressive forces in which SYRIZA-PS participates as a party and not by ‘lending’ individual members through separate personal agreements. If our efforts to create a unified formation fail, SYRIZA-PS will participate in the elections together with progressive forces and individuals who recognize this necessity and wish to do so.”

Polakis further stressed that hope for a unified electoral list does not mean the party should enter “hibernation” in the meantime.

He proposed that the Central Committee establish:

a. A committee for candidate lists, expansion, and the formation of a progressive political pole.

b. A program committee.

c. An electoral organization committee.

“The current reality requires all of us to rise to the occasion and fulfill our historical duty,” he concluded.

Dourou: We Have Been Operating Without Information for Three Months

According to reports, MP Rena Dourou criticized the leadership, saying:

“For three months we have operated without information, amid political gossip and false dilemmas, while trust has been damaged. This proposal is actually a step backward compared to March.”

She argued that because the party has not met for three months, members should receive guarantees by Monday that normal functioning will resume.

Dourou proposed creating a committee to determine how the party should proceed, establish a timetable, and present its proposals to Alexis Tsipras, PASOK, and other progressive parties and political formations.

Outcome of the Meeting

The Political Secretariat of SYRIZA–Progressive Alliance approved, by majority vote, the proposal submitted by party president Socrates Famellos.