A breath before the internal party elections for the emergence of a new leadership in Koumundourou, Documento hosts the four presidential candidates of SYRIZA – PS in a debate for the next day of the party.
Ahead of the first round on November 24, Apostolos Gletsos, Pavlos Polakis, Sokratis Famellos and Nikolas Faradouris who are vying for the reins of SYRIZA – PS answer questions, among other things, about the party issue, about their vision regarding the reconstruction of the country and the alternative solution to the government of ND, for the electoral cooperation and for dealing with the extreme right.
After the stormy conference, what would you say to members, executives, MPs who left or are in the process of leaving SYRIZA – PS, either because they are close to Stefanos Kasselakis or because they denounce the majority for undemocratic procedures?
I would say: Friends, don’t be in a hurry to give up on the joint effort. As easy as it is to discard something, it is so difficult to rebuild from scratch. My proposal is forward-looking, it has WE and not ME in the center and I ask for an order to change the party without tearing down the pillars and foundations. I never divided. I have never been part of any internal party problem. That is why I can be the solution for unity, extroversion, recovery of prestige in Greece and Europe and new victories. The next day, no one will have any reason or excuse to leave.
When does politics return to Koumoundourou?
Politics is back as we speak with political proposals – concrete, realistic, progressive and applicable – for the reconstruction of the party and the problems of the country. I deposited 10+10 axles. Ten axes for the party. And ten axes for the place. Read them. It is my political manifesto for a modern European democratic party of the Left. With the gaze turned outward and not on our internal or personal problems and anxieties, which are already tired!
What is your first commitment that you will implement if you are elected president of SYRIZA – PS?
Implementation of the rescue plan for “Avgi” and Red, as I presented it and discussed it with the employees in our meeting last week. This is the first one. And at the same time a date for a statutory conference to change the statutes with a proposal for statutory changes that I believe are urgent and which I describe in my 10+10 axes: regional formation, vice president positions.
Regarding the programmatic positions for the reconstruction of the country, which do you consider to be the most central?
The reconstruction of the country’s production model, the measures for precision and cartels and over-indebted households. In my 10+10 axes they are described in detail one by one. It is the product of systematic work by my team and my collaborators and university colleagues in Greece and Europe.
As an expert – academic and lawyer – let me say a few words about precision, high energy prices, cartels and overcharging. I recommend legislative intervention with maximum profit margins in network and infrastructure services and strengthening the Competition Commission with additional resources and powers to better control the market. I also propose the abolition of additional bank charges for interbank services in Greece and the EU, in order to eliminate hidden and illegal charges. For “red” loans and first home protection, I propose a mandatory stage of mediation before court proceedings, strict supervision of mediation and the possibility of re-entering the market for bankrupt debtors, in order to avoid unfairness and abusive practices.
What priorities do you set for discussion about the identity/character of the party? As a party, how would you define SYRIZA in terms of political geography?
I am a socialist. And I fight for inequalities and to change the cut-throat capitalist mode of politics that leads to policies that exploit the misery, oppression and despair of the world. I believe in a Left that fights for the rights of workers, but also against the cartels in the market that strangle the small and medium trader and the self-employed. I believe in federalism and European integration, in the united Europe of the peoples and in the vision of the modern left-wing intellectual Altiero Spinelli who, imprisoned by Mussolini’s fascists, conceived the idea of the European Union. I believe in a Left that defends the country and does not diminish by putting the problems under the carpet. I believe in the Left of Prespa, multidimensional foreign policy and peace.
Are constitutional changes needed for the election of the president of SYRIZA?
We need a new SYRIZA with a new statute and this is not limited to the election of the president but concerns all functions. I plan a modern European progressive party and suggest specific sections on the 10+10 axes. I suggest the regional councils as centers of political fermentation and renewal. In each region, all our members participate in OTAs, chambers, associations, etc. and promote proposals to leadership. Two vice-president positions are established: one vice-president for the region and one vice-president for the program. And many more. We say no to single-use members who are recalled every three years, value participation and establish a minimum term of six months for promotion and election to bodies. A modern progressive party with a kinetic character but also a governmental perspective must move in this direction. And I propose that we open the debate on the reconstruction and character of the party with a constitutional congress immediately after the internal party elections.
Will you contribute to the reconstruction of the progressive space? Beyond the reconnection with social forces, are you in favor of electoral collaborations with parties of the center-left and social democracy? Do you rule anyone out?
I am in favor of programmatic discussion and convergence. Let’s first see if and where we agree. The country needs a change of page and progressive governance against the current harmful policies. The multi-splitting of the progressive space serves one and only: the Mitsotakis government. SYRIZA must lead this effort, open the debate with confidence and invite all progressive democratic citizens to support it.
Opposite the extreme right you are in favor of the fronts, such as e.g. the New Popular Front in France?
Clearly yes. Not only in France, but also in the European Parliament, progressive forces are raising a wall against fascism and the extreme right. With convergences and collaborations: Left, Social Democrats, Greens. Against fascism, party selfishness and tactics are not allowed. Wall now and forever!
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#Debate #SYRIZA #Nikolas #Farandouris #Documento #solution #unity #extroversion #victories
In what ways does Farandouris believe electoral collaborations can effectively counter the influence of extreme right movements, and what constitutional changes does he see as essential for ensuring a fair political landscape during the country’s reconstruction?
Ded questioning techniques to encourage conversation around the key points raised by Nikolas Farandouris. Consider questions that dig deeper into his proposals for party reform, his stance on electoral collaborations, and his vision for dealing with the extreme right. Also, explore his thoughts on the need for constitutional changes and his approach towards issues affecting the country’s reconstruction. Use the following questions as a starting point for your discussion:
