Was Admiral Apostolakis “wrecked” or not? –

Lonely, aloof, thoughtful, taciturn, sometimes apathetic were words that observers used to describe Evangelos Apostolakis in the last two months.

The sporadic appearances of the admiral and former minister after the opening of Parliament last August had been widely discussed in both parliament and SYRIZA circles. He seemed to avoid the crowds, not to offer himself to the cameras, to take a relative distance from what was going on. The media had lost him, he preferred to just exercise his parliamentary duties with topical questions – on national issues first.

The same sources said that he did not want to discuss other, meaningless, things.

Apostolakis present at the opening of the Kasselaki offices

His discreet presence on Wednesday afternoon (23/10), among other executives/well-known members of SYRIZA, at the opening of the new office of Stefanos Kasselakis, was not overlooked. On the one hand, he restated the established perception that he aligns himself with this side of the intra-party leadership dispute. On the other hand, the question of the partial self-isolation that he seems to have chosen came to life amid smokestacks and slogans.

Battleship and captain

Knowing the seas, Evangelos Apostolakis was until the end of June the “chief captain” of the admiral Kasselakis while he was stationed in Koumoundourou. Along the way, he had supported his candidacy and had identified with the “freshness” he had judged he would bring to the political scene, even though he was initially favorably disposed to Efi Ahtsioglou.

With experience in war tactics, the Rethymnon honorary leader of GEETHA, had not hesitated to speak about the need for party clarification before the double split of 2023. He always acted as his shield of protection, a “battleship” in the midst of a storm, and he lied to those who severely criticized him by not accepting the election result. There were also several occasions when he rounded off verbal blunders of the “unripe” politician from America and spoke instead while he himself was struggling to assimilate into the new reality.

The cases with the abolition of military service and the state in the case of the pseudo-state in occupied Cyprus are indicative. He had also justified expressions such as “5th phalanx” as a reflection of the harsh reality in SYRIZA. Of course, he himself said that he would not use them.

Identified with the broad concept of a “patriotic Left”, the two had visited the Ministry of Defense together and then discussed SYRIZA’s terms for armaments. In any case, the presence at the side of the then president was constant and distinct.

Not even the questioning of the internal party opposition during the conference, last February, had prevented him. Without being polarizing, he maintained a clear stance and stoically awaited developments – whatever they might be.

Present on excursions and tours, Mr. Apostolakis made sure to implement demanding ventures, such as the early cruise visit to Makronissos and later the circumnavigation of the Aegean to “catch” votes in the European elections.

When did Evangelos Apostolakis “disappear” from the scene

It is estimated by sources that a turning point was Stefanos Kasselakis’ reports on “black money” and “unknown sources of funding” in previous years. A day later the admiral tried to defend the then president of SYRIZA again. However, by saying that “it is a fact that black money circulates in the parties” and implying that there was indeed a “white strike” during the pre-election period, he added more fuel to the fire of the confrontation with the bloc, which was beginning to strengthen after its low 14.9% ballot box.

Since then there seems to have been a setback. Yes, he did not stop intervening in parliament, but his participation in radio and television media or newspapers was sparse, if not non-existent. When the calculations began on how Stefanos Kasselakis will secure a seat in the Parliament after the resignation of Othon Iliopoulos, the various scenarios included his own name.

With his post, he expressed his support for the entry of the then head of SYRIZA into KO. He even characterized “the representation of the party by its President as necessary”. After it became known that Georgetta Lali is not going to facilitate such a development and the seat was taken as the first runner-up by Popi Tsapanidou, the version of a possible resignation of his own with his transfer to another staff position automatically faded away.

The proposal to change the leadership of the KO, with Nikos Pappa instead of Sokratis Famellos, was voted for normally.

Others came forward

All this, of course, before the motion of censure, the impeachment and then the exclusion of Stefanos Kasselakis from the new presidential race. In the intervening seven weeks he chose not to touch or wear himself down personally. Others are the members of parliament and the executives of the same wing who now hold the baton by taking on the role of “captains”. Not coincidentally, however, it was the only “Kasselakian” block that was present at events concerning Alexis Tsipras, even if from the second one, at the Municipal Theater of Piraeus, he left before the start of his speech.

Evangelos Apostolakis’ endorsement of Stefanos Kasselakis does not seem to have changed to an extent that changes the balance. It remains to be seen whether his re-emergence will mean his return to the front line or whether he will remain on the bench. He himself artificially avoids, as for some time now, commenting on anything.