SYRIZA debate: The time for the image battle by the presidential candidates –

Table of Contents

• 1 Four debate categories, increased direct dialogue time
• 2 SYRIZA bets on the debate on participation
  • 2.1 “Resounding response to the plans of the entanglement, to create a new party, which will have nothing to do with the Left”
• 3 Polakis and Famellos as favourites
• 4 Faradouris the regulator, Gletsos the surprise
• 5 **How‌ might the performative aspects of ​television, emphasized‍ in the “game of television,” influence the candidates’ policy positions and appeals to voters in the SYRIZA presidential debate?**

It has been said, almost cynically, that “television is for appearing, not for watching”. In this light, all four contenders for the presidency of SYRIZA had from the beginning been in favor of a televised debate that would strengthen their candidacy.

The telefight is scheduled for tonight, Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. It will be covered by public television (ERT News) and all the coordination will be undertaken by the journalists Christina Vidou and Apostolos Maggiriadis, asking the relevant questions – even if follow ups are needed.

Four debate categories, increased direct dialogue time

Apostolos Gletsos, Pavlos Polakis, Sokratis Famellos and Nikolas Farandouris will develop their programming positions in four individual categories. As agreed in advance, the sections will focus on the economy, foreign policy, the state and the organization and the climate crisis.

What was required for each of the frames was – as much as possible – freedom and flexibility, outside the entrenched and standardized protocol of seconds and countdown.

The times that define the context and characterize the television product in question will of course be observed. However, compared to the model that had been adopted for the PASoK debate, there was a reduction in the number of sections, but a simultaneous increase in the time for dialogue between the candidates, who are in any case fewer.

As it was approved without objections from the staffs, the panelists will have the possibility of direct questions and answers after the end of each topic and not only before the completion of the process. It is believed that this differentiation / addition lends extroversion and political culture, regardless of the legitimate pressure that will be exerted by one on the other in the battle for the most viral rant of the night.

SYRIZA bets on the debate on participation

The “game” is highly communicative and no one disputes this principle. Although no common ground was found for a second round, PaSoK benefited many times from the telefight and attracted a lot of interest. Both on social media and at the ballot box, the response exceeded the expectations of the participants.

In the midst of a deep identity crisis, SYRIZA needs an equal dose of response – and why not measured enthusiasm. The big bet of broad participation in the electoral battle goes through an attractive television program that will provoke interaction, debate and ultimately set the narrative of the next day before the polls on Sunday (24/11).

“Resounding response to the plans of the entanglement, to create a new party, which will have nothing to do with the Left”

It had already been emphasized that with more than 70,000 voters in the first round, that is half of the previous two times with the election of a president from the grassroots, the minimum goal will have been reached. At the same time, a respectable total amount will be secured through the subscription of 3 euros.

It is important, in any case, that SYRIZA does not fall below 60,000, that is, the lowest limit of the difficult days of PaSoK. At that time, only 52,388 members had voted, electing Fofi Gennimata as president. The thirty-second spot was created for this reason, while hundreds of polling stations per prefecture became known thanks to the ongoing reorganization of the NE.

“Once again, SYRIZA-PS will spoil the plans of the entanglement. The message sent by the various payrolls, the financial oligarchy, the para-institutional centers, will affect the mass participation of the members of SYRIZA-PS in the elections for the presidency of the party.

With their massive participation in the ballot box of the presidential election, the leftist, progressive citizens will give the most resounding response to those who strike plans to break up SYRIZA. On November 24, the left-wing, progressive, democratic world must also give a resounding response to the plans of the entanglement, to create a new party, which will have nothing to do with the Left. But which, on the contrary, will serve as a wild card in the political system and diversion plans, so that SYRIZA is not the official opposition in the Parliament, as the people determined with their vote” stated – not by chance but with a clear aim – the Political Secretariat of SYRIZA.

Polakis and Famellos as favourites

The main candidates have already developed during his incessant visits to various stations in the Greek territory the direction in which they want to turn SYRIZA. These will make sure to highlight the evening again, appealing to a mixed television audience.

Pavlos Polakis, always as a character, has promoted from the beginning the slogan of “Honest Greece” which will not be afraid to clash with anything conventional that is needed in order to correct the wrong texts. The anti-systemic approach has an impact on a large portion of SYRIZA voters, which is why it consistently appears among the first two candidates in popularity.

The fact that he has toured almost all of the interior, with the most recent stop in Thessaloniki (before returning to Heraklion), has helped him to meet people who had not done so and to network.

Sokratis Famellos, with a profile and speech that expresses a large part of the once-renewing Left, appears closer to the fixed positions of the majority of party bodies.

He talks about a progressive identity and a total restart, he promotes synthesis instead of division, without SYRIZA being a wildcard in the developments, but the one who will define them in the left field. “We” versus “I” was a constant refrain in many speeches and meetings as he swept the country from end to end with the ultimate goal of a “party of members and active citizens” that would offer an alternative politics with modern look.

Faradouris the regulator, Gletsos the surprise

Nikolas Farandouris, a deep connoisseur of European, energy and environmental issues, has as frontispiece an axis of 10+10 proposals that will help SYRIZA to recover immediately. He does not hide that a progressive coalition with the backbone of SYRIZA has the power to overthrow the ND government after first rallying society around it.

He is not comfortable from a “little house” as he is wont to say, but a force with an imprint. He is betting on broad mass participation in order for his candidacy to garner center-left votes. Tomorrow the MEP, who also took to the streets, will also speak in Athens (Founder Michalis Kakogiannis).

As for Apostolos Gletsos, he knows very well the conditions in front of the cameras. There will be no script, no rehearsals for his words. However, since he has already given a few interviews as a candidate and has become familiar with speaking at party bodies (Central Committee, Congress), it is more accessible for him to convey his message.

The rest of the night…