The SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance stated: “SYRIZA-PA moves forward in an organized, democratic, and collective manner, strictly adhering to constitutional provisions for the emergency congress and the election of the party president, following the Central Committee’s decisions.” The conference will include an option for digital participation, according to today’s decision by SYRIZA’s Political Secretariat, which formally announced the presidential candidates.

After the deadline for submitting candidacies, and per the Central Committee’s decisions, the approved candidates are Apostolos Gletsos, Pavlos Polakis, Sokratis Famellos, and Nikos Farantouris. Not adhering to collective decisions and the party’s constitution, or issuing legal challenges, is deemed “politically inconceivable.”

The meeting also confirmed the selection of the “Gazi Live” venue, which holds over 3,000 people, though Theodora Tzakri raised concerns about the hybrid (digital) participation format.

These issues will be addressed in tomorrow’s session of the Central Organizational Committee for Congress (COES), as the Kasselakis faction questions the constitutional validity of a hybrid congress. However, at the last congress in February, hybrid participation was allowed for Greeks abroad, who also took part in voting.

Rena Dourou, Olympia Teligioridou, Panos Rigas, and Nikos Skorinis argued to separate political from organizational matters, while Pavlos Polakis approved the proposal, and Theodora Tzakri voted against it.

The party’s Financial Director, Christos Mavrokefalidis, reportedly noted, “Media cannot be saved with a pile of cash; a strategic investor is needed,” and employees held a protest.

Decision Summary:

• Increasing the minimum wage is vital and should not be used as government propaganda. Currently, wage hikes do not address the rising cost of living driven by energy and housing crises. The Greek government has delayed incorporating the European Directive 2022/2041, impacting collective bargaining. Since 2012, private sector wages have lost 14% of their strength; only 25% of workers are covered by collective agreements, far below the EU average of 45%, which targets 80% coverage.

• SYRIZA-PA calls for the immediate reinstatement of the pre-2012 framework for collective bargaining agreements and a reinforced arbitration role for OMED. The government should facilitate but not interfere in these negotiations.
• We demand better financial support for small and medium-sized enterprises, which remain cut off from bank loans, ESPA, and the Recovery Fund, even though they are essential to Greece’s economy and job creation.
• There’s also a call to increase pensions, as about 2.5 million pensioners receive less than €550 net per month.
• It’s unacceptable for the country to promote social dialogue while the ruling party enforces presumptive taxation that penalizes businesses based on employee wages, fostering employer-employee conflict instead of encouraging collaboration, contrary to EU directives and international practice.
• The Constitutional Revision Process is Imminent
• The start of the constitutional revision process is imminent. However, the ND government insists on keeping its objectives hidden. On such a critical issue, there can be no secrecy. Mr. Mitsotakis must inform the national representation and the public about which articles he intends to revise. Does his agenda include articles that protect public goods, such as water or education? What about the article protecting communications privacy or the one safeguarding the tenure of public employees?
• Such a revision will not have the support of the left-wing and progressive community. SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance has proposals and continues to strengthen them. Should this scenario play out, Mr. Mitsotakis may – perhaps by design – seek alliances with the far-right.
• As for the discussion on the Presidency of the Republic and potential candidates, we are firmly convinced that in our democracy there are no “untouchables” and that the time has come for a President of the Republic from the left and broader progressive alliance. Electing such a person to the Presidency would be a challenge and a goal for all progressive forces, not just SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance.
• With the ongoing visit of the German President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, to Greece, we believe it is a given that the Greek government will continue to press with urgency the issue of German reparations. For us, this claim is a historical and moral duty to close a heavy chapter between the two nations and pave the way for a better future in our relations. We remind that the Report-Conclusion of the Cross-Party Parliamentary Committee on determining German reparations was unanimously approved by the Parliament in April 2019.
• The recent meeting between Mr. Mitsotakis and Mr. Erdogan in New York, along with the silence of the Prime Minister in the face of provocative statements by the Turkish President and his associates, has raised concerns in Greece regarding the negotiations taking place behind closed doors. SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance, through the head of its Parliamentary Group, requested on September 28 that the Prime Minister provide information, but this request has yet to be fulfilled.
• Developments in national matters, however, require clear answers. Questions remain about the content of the discussions with Turkey, the nature of developments cited by the Turkish leadership, and how “Calm Waters” can align with the “Blue Homeland” strategy, as well as whether the Cyprus issue is prioritized in our agenda, among other topics.
• Turkey’s strategy is revisionist, incompatible with international law, and contrary to peace in the region. Mr. Mitsotakis cannot expect a blank check from SYRIZA-PA on Greek-Turkish issues or on foreign policy matters in general. A return to a multi-faceted, active, and peace-oriented foreign policy is necessary – the same policy SYRIZA pursued from 2015 to 2019. This is a policy with a beginning, middle, and end, grounded in international law, keeping communication channels open and avoiding crossing “red lines.”
• 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 his local collaborators. This serves as a lasting reminder that our people were born, reborn, and fought through a continuous struggle, a relentless fight against tyranny and its representatives, both foreign and domestic.

It is absolutely necessary to open the archives of the Ministry of the Interior from the occupation period and allow access to the records of government services and Security Forces. The opportunity to access the truth, as was granted during the SYRIZA administration, will help restore our historical and collective memory.