SYRIZA: Paving the Way for Leadership Election Amid Internal Tensions

The Central Committee of the SYRIZA Progressive Alliance concluded its sessions yesterday, with the “87” faction emerging as the clear frontrunner, solidifying the framework for the party’s leadership election. Their proposals comfortably dominated the proceedings, setting the course for selecting the new leader of Greece’s main opposition party.

Following their second consecutive victory after the impeachment motion, the “87” faction successfully pushed through a series of amendments to the steering body’s decisions during yesterday’s vote. These amendments addressed a wide range of issues, including transparency, meritocracy, and ethics, placing these critical matters at the forefront of the Central Committee’s consideration. This move reinforced their influence within the party and underscored their commitment to reforming internal governance.

The roadmap

First and foremost, however, the proposal of the Political Secretariat regarding the timetable of the internal party elections, which was supported by the “87” group, was passed with a comfortable majority (112 in favour and 62 against), while it was also voted for by Nikos Pappas. Following this, the following are provided:

– October 5: New meeting of the Central Committee of SYRIZA

– October 6: Start of pre-conference dialogue in the organizations.

Initial meeting of the organizational conference of the Organizational Committee of the Organizational Committee. – October 11: Deadline to register members to participate in the Convention elections.

– October 19-20: Election of Delegates, using the measure in effect at the February convention, i.e. 1/40th of the registered members.

– October 24: Deadline for filing nominations for party chair.

– November 1-3: Extraordinary Congress to be held and nominations for leadership to be announced.

– November 24: First round of election of President and election of new Central Committee.

First meeting of the first Central Committee and the new Central Committee. – December 1: Second round of election of the President of SYRIZA.

Signatures and…Behind-the-Back

Second signings of the elections and the signature of the “Declaration of Independence”. With a “hot” three months to come for the internal party SYRIZA PC, “signatures of 30 members of the Central Committee are required to file a candidacy,” the Political Secretariat’s recommendation stated, following last year’s route for the internal party elections. However, alongside the 30 signatures, the submission of the “Behind-the-Back” by the candidate is now required, as decided yesterday by the Central Committee of SYRIZA, accepting with 87 votes in favor and 84 against the proposal submitted by former Minister Christos Spirtzis.

As reported by protothema.gr, two prevailing opinions emerged within the “87” group ahead of yesterday’s meeting. Led by Mr. Spirtzis, one faction demanded the full disclosure of candidates’ backgrounds as a condition for engaging in the internal party debate. Others, like Zoe Karcoulia and Yiannis Boulekou, shared similar sentiments. Acting on this momentum, the former minister introduced an amendment to the Political Secretariat’s proposal, stating that “transparency, truth, and honesty toward every citizen are core values of our party. In light of the damaging reports and insinuations of ‘black’ funds and leaks targeting our comrades, it is now critical to prove, through action rather than words, that neither our party nor its members have anything to hide.” Spirtzis called for the party’s presidential candidates to publicly submit their financial disclosures, ensuring transparency on the SYRIZA PS website before officially nominating them.

Although Christos Spirtzis’ proposal did not call for an evaluation of party members’ financial disclosures, it simply required that they be submitted and made public. Party sources clarified yesterday that “the Central Committee’s recommendation to the Congress is for the filing of financial disclosures to be included in the documents for candidate approval.” However, they emphasized that “only the Congress holds the authority to approve or reject candidacies.” Spirtzis, speaking to reporters, claimed, “No one is being excluded, but the days of sweeping things under the rug are over. Anyone who hasn’t submitted 30 signatures and a background check won’t make it to the Congress.”

Along with Spirtzis’ proposal, an amendment by Thanasis Theocharopoulos was also approved, stating that “behaviors insulting the integrity of party members and executives, such as calling them ‘hoodlums’ or ‘coup plotters,’ are unacceptable and inconsistent with the Left’s values.” Meanwhile, Nikos Pappas’ proposal for a Constitutional Congress was rejected by a 60-40 margin, although other measures like the election of regional organizations were passed.

Nina Kasimatis, a supporter of Kasselakis, criticized the meeting, stating, “The attempt to manipulate the election of the President and the new party organs continues by certain individuals,” while emphasizing that “the Congress, as the party’s supreme body, will make the final decisions.”

Kasselakis’ Symbolic Return in Arta

Amid the internal turmoil, former SYRIZA PS President Stefanos Kasselakis returned from Europe and visited Arta, the constituency of Olga Gerovasili. The timing of his visit, following Gerovasili’s critical remarks, seemed deliberate. Gerovasili had recently said, “This party gave Kasselakis too much time and tolerance,” signaling a lack of support for a potential comeback. In response, members of Kasselakis’ camp, like Yota Poulou and Panos Rigas, criticized her remarks.

Gerovasili did not hold back either, posting on social media: “Insecurity in politics is a sign of weakness. Stefanos Kasselakis could have visited Arta another day, not during the Central Committee meeting of the party he wants to lead again.”

A Calculated Message

Kasselakis’ choice to be accompanied by Jenny Taprantzi-Koelia, a former ally of Gerovasili who had cut ties with her, added further symbolism. Taprantzi-Koelia, who was supported by Gerovasili in 2019 for mayoral candidacy but later shifted her allegiance, now stood by Kasselakis, signaling a rift in Gerovasili’s political base. Kasselakis’ decision to appear with Taprantzi-Koelia in a photo was widely seen as a pointed message to Gerovasili and the “87” faction.