Tensions within Greece’s main opposition party, SYRIZA, have escalated as Stefanos Kasselakis, the former president, continues to push back against his exclusion from the upcoming party congress scheduled for November 8-10.
With the party leadership firmly opposing his participation, the internal battle intensifies, raising questions about Kasselakis’ political future and the direction of SYRIZA.
The rift became more pronounced following a video released by Kasselakis on Monday, in which he criticised the decision to bar him from the presidential race. He called on his supporters to create "a great wave of democracy" to challenge the party’s internal mechanisms.
In response, SYRIZA's headquarters, Koumoundourou, issued a strong statement reaffirming that the decision to exclude Kasselakis was "immediately applicable and irrevocable," emphasising it was made with "an overwhelming majority."
Party Leadership Stands Firm
Several prominent SYRIZA figures have voiced their support for the decision to disqualify Kasselakis. Olga Gerovassili, a central party figure, questioned how someone could lead a party without respecting its internal rules and cadres. Kostas Zacharias echoed this sentiment, asserting that the party has a right to defend itself.
Leading SYRIZA presidential candidates have also backed the exclusion, with Socrates Famellos stating in a radio interview that the decision was "justified" and should not be overturned. He described it as a necessary response to actions that were inconsistent with the party's identity, adding, "It is not undemocratic when the rules are respected."
Kasselakis Faces Criticism
European Parliament member Nikolas Farantouris launched a harsh critique of Kasselakis, accusing him of "whining and poor defeatism" and emphasising that true leadership requires unity, not division. Farantouris questioned Kasselakis’ vague calls for an "unmediated relationship of members," suggesting it lacked any meaningful political proposal.
Despite the mounting opposition, Kasselakis and his team remain defiant. In a statement, his office referred to the decision as "supposedly irrevocable" and accused party leaders of acting out of "panic." Kasselakis’ camp also cited Article 20 of SYRIZA’s statutes, arguing that the congress has the power to ratify or overturn the Central Committee's decisions.
Kasselakis’ Next Moves
As Kasselakis plots his next steps, his immediate focus is on the election of delegates, set for November 2-3. His team hopes to secure support through the registration of new members by October 25, though it remains unclear whether the current delegate allocation ratio will benefit him.
Meanwhile, the party's current majority is moving forward with preparations for the congress without Kasselakis, which could result in the election of a new president and reshape SYRIZA's future direction. As both sides prepare for the next phase of this internal struggle, the stakes are high for the party’s cohesion and future leadership.
(Source: To Vima)