“I wish they would make a motion of censure! They will cause a tsunami of reaction in the world of SYRIZA”! This is how supporters of Stefanos Kasselakis comment in Documento on what has been happening lately in Koumoundourou.
In SYRIZA, no one knows what will dawn in the coming months – maybe even weeks. The only thing that is certain is that this August is probably the most critical month in the modern era of the party.
At the beginning of the week, the 87 members of the Central Committee who have expressed criticism of President Steph met. Kasselaki, together with more than 120 prefectural committee members. No concrete decisions were made, but important positions were made for the present and the future of the party. The so-called intra-party opposition does not have – so far at least – a unified stance and a common strategy, but the overwhelming majority believes that SYRIZA cannot continue with the existing conditions.
“We see no perspective with the current situation. There must be drastic changes if we want to save the party,” a member of the 87 told Documento.
The tough view expressed is to raise the question of leadership at the Central Committee scheduled for the weekend of September 7-8. Of course, for the censure to take shape, it requires the majority of the body. But many believe that the issue is more political than numerical. If this scenario goes ahead – even if a majority is not assured – then the ball goes to Kasselakis’ court, who will decide whether to pick up the gauntlet.
In order to raise the issue of censure it is necessary to have (at least) a candidate who should have the support of the signatories but also the momentum to oppose Steph. Kasselakis, who currently seems to have a majority in the Central Committee, Political Secretariat and in the delegates (as captured in February).
Some more determined for drastic solutions have argued that if a motion of censure is not tabled, they will leave the party, refusing – as they say – to legitimize the existing situation.
Proposition that is refuted
According to leaks, during the controversial meeting, Christos Giannoulis put on the table a proposal for the possible withdrawal of some MPs in order to cooperate with others, e.g. with those who may leave PASOK after its internal party elections, in order to create a strong group which, based on parliamentary mathematics, could also have the role of official opposition.
According to leaks, this proposal was not warmly received. Of course, the MP himself, speaking to Documento, denied everything.
The gentler approach
A more negotiating attitude was also reflected in the meeting. Her supporters opposed the departures, noting that they should remain in the party and fight the battle from within. Also, they were more restrained regarding the motion of censure since they believe that the right person should be found first and then any decisions should be made.
The names
The truth is that wells go by many names. Famellos, Vassiliadis, Kalamatianos, Notopoulou, Arvanitis, Zachariadis are names that have been heard from the surrounding area, but so far the aforementioned have not expressed an intention to claim the presidency.
It is characteristic that Sokratis Famellos, although in no way participates in the specific internal party processes, has many supporters and is widely respected. Even Olga Gerovasili has been proposed by some, following what happened in February.
Polakis
The 87 may have openly opposed Pavlos Polakis and the climate between the two sides is almost hostile, but some believe that if a motion of censure is filed, then the members of the Central Committee who are close to the Cretan MP will vote in favor.
However, the Polakis environment states to Documento that there will be no cooperation of any kind. The MP’s post a few days ago was typical: “To 87… 37… 17… the following 5-6-7: Don’t move, don’t scratch, don’t threaten! You’re just creating a storm in a glass! There will be developments in SYRIZA – PS, for the benefit of the progressive social majority and the left-wing populist program proposal, BUT CLEARLY NOT FROM YOU! The solution is always given by the people who place everyone at the height and position that really belongs to them! Make a little opposition to Mitsotakis and the entanglement and not only to SYRIZA – PS!”.
To those who believe that Paul. Polakis wants to claim the presidency, his entourage says laconically: “He is present at the internal party procedures”.
The conference
The role of the Central Committee is to prepare the party for the constitutional congress in October. Of course, no one can be 100% sure about this since, apparently, other issues can arise.
Some hardliners argue that there should be a question of postponing and even delegitimizing the conference, arguing that Steph. Kasselakis has not made a clear proposal for the changes he wants, at the same time considering unacceptable the ideas of replacing all the organs.
From the Kasselakis side, it has been clarified that the ideas expressed by the president can be changed and everything can be discussed. The competent committee in charge of processing the proposals will meet again several times, while iSYRIZA has opened a platform where each member can participate in the consultation.
The Spirtzis case
During the week, an informal small-member coordinating committee of 87 met, in which several issues were discussed. It was agreed that they will not tolerate under any circumstances the deletion of Christos Spirtzis, for whom the Ethics Committee
will meet on the 23rd of the month. The former minister has been called to testify against the complaints of 70 members who accuse him of an “individual agenda” and of “questioning the dynamics of Kasselakis and SYRIZA to threaten the dominance of the neo-right”.
The 87 consider it unacceptable that a member is at risk of being deleted for expressing personal opinions. However, Documento is able to know that they were expressed to Chr. Spirtzis and some suggestions so that he does not give rights for attacks.
However, there were disagreements at the meeting and for this reason there were no clear leaks. What has become known is that everyone has sided with the party media workers who are demanding wages and holiday pay.
Critical decisions
All eyes are on the next meeting of the 87, which will take place after August 23rd. It is expected there that the position they will hold in the next period will be determined to a large extent.
In simple words, it will largely be seen if there will be a tangible challenge to Kasselakis, if there will be support for another person, if there will be withdrawals and if they will participate in the October conference. As everyone understands, if the Ethics Committee recommends the removal of Spirtzis, then the climate will be even more tense.
Closed papers from Tsipras
It seems that at the moment SYRIZA is split in two. On one side are the supporters of Kasselakis and on the other side are those who want a change of leadership. Some in the various wells are also putting Alexis Tsipras in the game. It is known that the relations between Tsipras and Kasselakis are not at their best, something that the president of SYRIZA indirectly but clearly repeated on Friday. “Any disagreements I have with my predecessor concern the management of the party lately, not his government,” he said. However, so far the former prime minister is keeping his papers closed. Some attribute to him the inspiration of the scenario for the breakup of KO and cooperation with other MPs who may leave PASOK or the New Left. But of course this is not confirmed. Top officials of SYRIZA tell Documento that if Al. Tsipras decides to play a role, he will do it for something very big. Until then, they say that “all possibilities in the internal party field are open”.
Based on all the above, it is by no means a cliché to say that a warm August is expected in Koumoundourou.
#hot #August #SYRIZA
