SYRIZA’s top officials are set to face the new reality following Stefanos Kasselakis’s removal from the leadership of SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance, as the Political Secretariat meets today at 4 p.m. Tensions remain high within the party.
The agenda includes SYRIZA’s presence at the Thessaloniki International Fair, which many of the party’s top officials consider a critical opportunity for the main opposition party to present its programmatic positions, despite the deep internal crisis that has plagued it recently.
However, the primary focus is inevitably on the timeline for the new leadership election. The timing of the elections has already created tension, leading to the next internal party conflict.
Kasselakis supporters appear to want a quick election, anticipating a new candidacy from Stefanos Kasselakis. Yesterday, MPs Nina Kasimati and Petros Pappas expressed their views on the matter, with Pappas stating that if Pavlos Polakis were elected as leader, he would not remain in the party. This is because Polakis’s candidacy seems to draw support from the same voter base that Kasselakis relies on, thus intensifying the rivalry between Kasselakis supporters and the MP from Chania.
Stefanos Kasselakis, however, has kept his cards close to his chest, adopting a wait-and-see approach. He is taking time to reflect after the initial shock of his removal. Already, some of his closest associates, including his office director, Manolis Kapnisakis, have chosen to resign from the party, as have the heads of the president’s and party’s press offices, Babis Papadakis and Evgenia Kountouri, respectively, following Kasselakis in his next steps.
The Dilemmas
For the ousted leader of SYRIZA, severing ties with the party, especially after his accusations about party “bureaucracy” and “nomenclature,” could allow him to pursue a political agenda closer to his beliefs, free from the constraints of either “radical” or “modern” left ideologies, perhaps even within a new party.
At the same time, the main opposition party continues to hold a strong brand, an active party mechanism, nationwide networks, headquarters in Koumoundourou Square, and a locked-in annual state subsidy — all the logistical elements needed for political survival, both for the party and its leadership, with the next general elections three years away.
Concerns about PASOK
At the same time, nearly all of SYRIZA’s top officials agree that “daily responsibilities cannot wait.” They recognize the need to quickly reorganize the party without any gaps or errors that could fuel future internal conflicts.
With this perspective in mind, the Central Committee is expected to meet in 15 days to prepare for an Extraordinary Congress, which will outline the leadership candidacies, with the elections expected in late autumn. Both the internal polarization following Kasselakis’s removal and the PASOK-KINAL succession elections represent crucial factors in setting the date for SYRIZA’s leadership elections. The comparison in voter turnout between SYRIZA and PASOK remains one of the biggest concerns for SYRIZA’s top officials.
Gerovasili: “Change of Direction”
The initial thoughts point toward holding the Extraordinary Congress in late October, followed by a period for the new leadership election, giving candidates time to communicate their political platforms. This would also allow for internal dialogue regarding SYRIZA’s future program. A key goal is for SYRIZA to project a message of unity to society. Olga Gerovasili emphasized this yesterday, stating, “The Central Committee’s decision is a clear message for a change in direction, away from internal strife, division, the logic of internal enemies, and petty politics.” She added, “It is also a strong signal for unity, collaboration, outward focus, and the production of political work. We are proceeding in an orderly and collective manner with the next steps for our party’s recovery.”
Dourou Weighs Her Options
Speculation about Rena Dourou running for SYRIZA leadership circulated yesterday, though her inner circle has not confirmed this. According to reports, Dourou has not yet made a final decision regarding her participation in the race for the new party leader, and there is still plenty of time, given the upcoming Central Committee meeting and the eventual Extraordinary Congress.
Aside from Nikolas Farantouris, Pavlos Polakis, and Apostolos Gletsos, who have already announced their candidacies, Sokratis Famellos has left the possibility open, while it is unclear what Stefanos Kasselakis will do. It is also uncertain if former Minister Nikos Pappas will run again.
Tsipras Fully Distant
While discussions about succession have intensified, with a sense of déjà vu in the air after last year’s leadership race following Alexis Tsipras’s resignation, Tsipras himself remains fully distant from internal party developments. The former Prime Minister and SYRIZA President is not expected to get involved in the party’s internal matters, as he has done since his resignation, nor will he publicly comment on any developments within or outside SYRIZA in the near future