SYRIZA ballots: this is the 75% of the candidates

The die has been cast, with the Political Secretariat of SYRIZA–Progressive Alliance meeting yesterday, Saturday, in Agios Konstantinos to approve the party’s candidate lists. Renewal, expansion on both sides, a strong presence of women, and creative forces from society.

The candidates who will fight the battle of the cross in the upcoming election represent, as party sources note, not the offspring of the political and economic elite, but the hardworking people, production, and creation. These are people who «are on the right side of history» and aspire to worthily embody what Alexis Tsipras has called the «covenant of democracy and justice.».

Now, the official opposition party has entered the home stretch, with the road to the polls getting «shorter» by the day. The message of «Justice Everywhere» is already spreading from Crete to Alexandroupoli. And at Koumoundourou, they aspire for it to enter every home, reach every factory, every business, every university, and every neighborhood. To this end, the individuals on the party’s candidate lists will, by necessity, play a significant role.

50% women

As top officials point out in Sunday’s edition of AVGI, the «winning slates» reflect both the so-called «expansion on both sides» and renewal, while, for the first time in Greece, a party’s candidate lists are composed entirely of women. This decision, of course, had already been adopted by a majority vote at the SYRIZA-P.S. congress last spring and is now enshrined in the party’s bylaws. Who is represented on the candidate lists? Workers, the younger generation, scientists, representatives of the business community, professionals, and people involved in social movements and the arts. Compared to previous elections, the turnover rate is around 30%–40%, and it is clearly evident—as a leading party official notably points out—that SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance is the dominant force within the so-called progressive camp.

Expansion

As expected, the candidate lists include individuals who represent expansion in both directions, academics, scientists from the so-called think tank, as well as people with whom party president Alexis Tsipras collaborates and whom he trusts.

The so-called «bilateral expansion» has produced, among others, figures such as Manolis Karlas, a physician, former prefect of Samos, and regional councilor; the former regional governor of Western Macedonia, Theodoros Karipidis, who will be a candidate in Kozani; Dimitris Ravnalis, former mayor of Assiros and a candidate in Thessaloniki B, and Giorgos Armoutakis, a candidate in Heraklion, Crete, who previously served as mayor of Phaistos.

Other candidates running with SYRIZA-P.S. will include Yiannis Gogolos in Thesprotia, a former mayoral candidate in the region, and Zoe Anastasopoulou from Elis, a lawyer and regional councilor who comes from PASOK-KIN.ALL. In addition, the official opposition’s candidate lists will also feature former Member of Parliament Zisis Zanas, formerly of LAE, who will be a candidate in Pieria. Fotini Bakadima, a member of parliament from Mera25, will be a candidate in Piraeus A. Another candidate running with SYRIZA-P.S. will be Sofia Fountoukidou, a psychologist, also from Mera25, who will run in the A« Thessaloniki district.

Academics and scientists

As we have written before, the SYRIZA-PS candidate lists will also include members of the so-called think tank—people with expertise in economic and social issues, academics, and advisors to Alexis Tsipras. The candidates will include Triantafyllos Albanis, former rector of the University of Ioannina, Aris Stylianou, a professor at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, and Yannis Mylopoulos, former rector of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

Vasiliki Lazou, a historian, will be a candidate in Fthiotida, and Nikos Farantouris, an expert on energy policy and holder of the «Jean Monnet,» will be a candidate in Kefalonia.

Sophia Vidali, a criminologist and professor at Panteion University, will be a candidate in Athens A; she is also a member of the think tank. Also from the think tank, Danae Voutyrakou, a renowned and internationally recognized robotics scientist, will be a candidate for the Western Attica constituency, representing the younger generation.

Also entering the election race is Stamatis Vardaros in Samos, an advisor to Alexis Tsipras and former deputy secretary-general of the Ministry of Health. In Aetolia-Acarnania, Grigoris Theodorakis, an advisor to the president on public administration issues, and in Karditsa, Angeliki Tentolouri, a lawyer and advisor to Alexis Tsipras. In Achaea, the candidate for parliament will be the former chief of the Hellenic Police, Aristides Andrikopoulos.

People with different points of reference

The party’s candidate lists will feature young men and women from diverse social backgrounds, distinguished scientists, private-sector employees, self-employed professionals, representatives of social movements, and first- and second-generation children of immigrants. Among others, lawyer Katerina Berdou will be a candidate in Evros. Similarly, attorney Fani Giotaki will run in Veroia, economist Kostas Karpouchtis in Serres, and Giorgos Karatsioubanis in Kavala.

The new generation is also represented by attorney Phaedra Karouzou in Heraklion, Crete, musician and architect Patty Kalou from Lefkada, lawyer Maria Stefou in Achaea, and Yiannis Haidos in Trikala, who works as a pharmacist.

Among the «youngest» but promising candidates for parliament are also Apostolis Pekkas, from Larissa, a young civil engineer active in the city’s local government affairs, as well as 35-year-old economist Takis Papaioannou, who will be running for parliament in Argolis.

In the First Constituency of Piraeus, candidates will include, among others, economist Katerina Logothetis and electrical engineer Christos Fotiadis. Maria Tzampazi, a member of the Pan-Hellenic Confederation of Greek Roma, will also be on the ballot in Xanthi. In the Southern Sector, Nikos Gergos, from Northern Epirus, will be a candidate, while Kaiti Theochari, who comes from the disability rights movement, will be a candidate in Eastern Attica. Antilian Kotzaj, of Albanian descent and president of the «Horizons» Youth Network, will be a candidate in Piraeus B. In Thessaloniki B, Makrina Viola-Kosti, a postdoctoral researcher of Albanian descent, will be on the SYRIZA-PS ballot.

The party’s candidate lists will also feature a strong presence of figures from the cultural sector, particularly at a time of dynamic change in that field. Among others, actor Marios Athanasiou and screenwriter Anna Hatzisofia will be candidates in the Northern Athens District. In Athens A, the candidates will include actress Maria Kanellopoulou, known for her longstanding presence in both the cultural sphere and the Left, actress Maria Kanellopoulou, as well as fellow actress Anna Elefanti and director Jenny Arseni.

Next is the 75% list of SYRIZA-PS candidates

LIST OF SYRIZA-PS CANDIDATES
The 75% of the SYRIZA-PS candidates

LESBOS (5 candidates)
Yiannis Bournous (N), Member of Parliament
Antonis Matzavelas (P), forester
Dimitris Mirasgentis (P) (N), attorney
Nikolara Maria (P) urban planner
Vasila Myrsini, farmer

CHIOS (4 candidates)
Andreas Michailidis, Member of Parliament
Vlata Angeliki (P) (N), 38 years old, IT Specialist
Marios Neamonitakis, self-employed
Sevi Peirantakou, attorney

SOUTHERN AEGEAN (7 suspects)
Dimitris Gakis, Member of Parliament
Ilias Kamateros, former member of parliament,
George Kassaras (P), former member of parliament
Chrysa Karagianni (P), dietitian-nutritionist

CYCLADES
Nikos Syrmalenios, Member of Parliament
Vasilis Glezos (P) (N), SYRIZA Youth, Network of Food Service and Tourism Workers
George Maragkos (P), former mayor of Syros
Anna Mavroudi, teacher
Maria Chanioti (P), Former Deputy Mayor of the Municipality of Paros

SAMOS (3 suspects)
Stamatis Vardaros (N) (P), former Deputy Secretary General of the Ministry of Health
Karlas Manolis, former prefect of Samos, regional council member and physician
Elpiniki Demertzi (P), Vice President of the Samos Teachers' Association (ELME)

EVROS (6 candidates)
Natasha Gara, Member of Parliament (N)
Smaro Valavanidou, civil servant
Katerina Berdou (P) (N), 38 years old, attorney
Spyros Dedoglou, self-employed
Menelaos Maltese, accountant, Economic Chamber
Vasilis Tsolakidis, architect

DRAMA (5 candidates)
Theophilos Xanthopoulos, Member of Parliament
Kostas Avramidis, attorney
Christos Karagiannidis, former member of parliament
Alexandra Vlachopoulou (P), animal rights activist
Anna Erimidou, farmer

RODOPI (5 candidates)
Takis Charitou, Member of Parliament
Ferhat Ozgur, dentist
Husamettin Mehmet, doctor
Christina Gavridou (P)

XANTHI (5 candidates)
Zeybek Husein, Member of Parliament
Stathis Giannakidis, former Deputy Minister of Economy and Development
Athina Kynigopoulou, self-employed
Maria Tzampazi, Roma community representative

PIERIA (6 candidates)
Betty Skoufa, Member of Parliament
Gnosoula Chailatzidou, teacher
Thanasis Gounas, university professor
Zanna Zisis, former member of parliament
Dionysis Zarotis, teacher

IMATHIA (6 suspects)
Angelos Tolkas, Member of Parliament
Frosso Karasarlidou, former member of parliament
Antonis Markoulis, attorney
Petros Tsaparopoulos, physician
Fani Giotaki, attorney
Varvara Saranti, teacher

SERRES (7 suspects)
Lefteris Avramakis, Member of Parliament
Kostas Karpouchtis, attorney
Iordana Savvidou, retired police officer

KILKIS (5 nominees)
Eirini Agathopoulou, Member of Parliament
Mania Panagiotidou, private-sector employee
Leonidas Dimitriadis, self-employed
Petros Pappas, physician

CHALKIDIKI (5 candidates)
Kyriaki Malama, Member of Parliament
Katerina Inglezis, former member of parliament
Leonidas Moulagiannos, teacher
Dimitris Fotakidis, attorney

1st THESSALONIKI (21 suspects)
Yiannis Amanatidis, Member of Parliament
Christos Giannoulis, Member of Parliament
Kostas Zouraris, Member of Parliament
Katerina Notopoulou, Member of Parliament
Alexandros Triantafyllidis, Member of Parliament
Triantafyllos Mitafidis, Member of Parliament
Yiannis Milopoulos, university professor
Christos Rokos, physician
Aris Stylianou, university professor
Dimitris Mardas, university professor, former minister
Korina Maniaka, hotel employee
Sofia Fountoukidou, psychologist, social robotics
Elli Chrysidou, visual artist

Thessaloniki B (12 suspects)
Avgeri, Member of Parliament
Socrates Famellos, Member of Parliament
George Vassiliadis, teacher
Andreas Mouratidis, physician
Dimitris Ravnalis, tax official
Viola Makrina Kostis, postdoctoral researcher, of immigrant descent
Magda Gavana, physician
Olga Panagiotidou, livestock farmer

KAVALA (6 candidates)
Tania Eleftheriadou, Member of Parliament
Dimitris Emmanouilidis, former member of parliament
George Karatsioubanis (P), economist and international relations expert
Filimon Xoulogis, agronomist (P)
Anastasia Myrli (P), teacher
Athina Panagiotidou, preschool teacher

HERAKLION (11 suspects)
Socrates Vardakis, Member of Parliament
Nikos Igoumenidis, Member of Parliament
Haris Mamoulakis, Member of Parliament
Giorgos Armoutakis (P), former mayor of Phaistos
Vasilis Smpokos, farmer and livestock breeder
Faidra Karoutzou (P), attorney, SYRIZA Youth
Makri Kornilia (P),
Maria Mari (P), archaeologist

CHANIA (6 candidates)
Pavlos Polakis, Member of Parliament
George Stathakis, former minister
Magi Arsenidi, Director of ELEPAP Chania
Valia Vayonaki, former member of parliament
Katerina Manimanaki, Vice President of the Chania Medical Association

RETHYMNO (4 candidates)
Andreas Xanthos, Member of Parliament
Thodoris Douloubekis (P) (N), civil engineer
Chrysoula Manousaki, civil engineer

LASITHI (4 suspects)
Manolis Thrapsaniotis, Member of Parliament
Pelagia Petraki, Civil Engineer, former Deputy Regional Governor (P)
Manolis Kalaitzakis (P), attorney

KEFALONIA (3 suspects)
Spyros Galiatsatos, former deputy regional governor (P)
Nikos Farantouris, university professor (P)
Dionysia Polatou, educator

LEFKADA (3 suspects)
Grigoris Stavros, physician (P)
Patty Kalou, architect, musician (P)

ZAKYNTHOS
George Armenis
Spyros Xenos, sociologist
Tasia Marouda, physician

CORFU (5 candidates)
Alexandros Avlonitis, Member of Parliament
Dorothea-Eleni Pagrati (P), President of the Cleaners' Union
Nikoleta Pandis (P), pharmacist

ARTA (4 suspects)
Olga Gerovasili, Member of Parliament
Vasilis Tsirkas, attorney, 42 years old
Grigoris Vlaras, civil servant
Margarita Bouranta (P), child psychologist

PREVEZA (4 suspects)
Kostas Barkas, Member of Parliament
Panos Lelovitis, President of the Preveza Teachers' Association (ELME)
Maria Markou (P), philologist

THESPROTIA (3 suspects)
Marios Katsis, Member of Parliament
Yiannis Gogolos (P), leader of the main opposition party in the Municipality of Igoumenitsa
Anna Stergiou, journalist (P)

IOANNINA (7 suspects)
Meropi Tzoufi, Member of Parliament
Lila Soule, attorney (P)
Stefos Giannis, educator, former member of parliament
Triantafyllos Albanis (P), Rector of the University of Ioannina
Christos Grivas, ADEDY
Thanasis Oikonomou, former member of parliament

HELIA (7 suspects)
Dionysis Kalamatianos, Member of Parliament
Gerasimos Balaouras, former member of parliament
George Panagiotopoulos, self-employed
Christos Fotopoulos, teacher (P)
Zoe Anastasopoulou, attorney (P) (N)
Vicky Vasilopoulou, retired teacher (P)

Aetolia-Acarnania (9 suspects)
George Varenos, Member of Parliament
Thanos Moraitis, Member of Parliament
Stavros Karagounis, teacher
Grigoris Theodorakis (P), former Secretary General of Public Administration
Miltos Zamparas (P) (N), environmentalist
Foteini Pantiora, former Special Secretary for Crisis Management
Eirini Tsimli, municipal employee

ACHAIA (12 suspects)

Sia Anagnostopoulou, Member of Parliament
Kostas Markou, Member of Parliament
Andreas Panagiotopoulos, physician
Themistoklis Bakas (P) (N), financial analyst, housing policy
Aristides Andrikopoulos (P), former chief of the Hellenic Police
Takis Georgakopoulos, physician (P)
George Kyriakopoulos, EFKA employee
Giota Panagopoulou, labor union activist
Eleni Adamopoulou, physician (P)
Angeliki Tsonaka, engineer
Mami Panagoula, physician (P)
Maria Stefou, Attorney at Law (P) (N)

KARDITSA (6 candidates)
Nikos Michalakis, physician, former member of parliament (P)
Konstantinos Agoris, journalist (N)
George Vaiopoulos, livestock farmer (P)
Panagiota Vratza, former member of parliament
Chrysoula Katsavria, former member of parliament
Angeliki Tentolouri, lawyer (N) (P)

MAGNESIA (7 suspects)
Alexandros Meikopoulos, Member of Parliament (N)
Katerina Papanatsiou, Member of Parliament
Marina Chrysoveloni, former member of parliament
Thalia Stachtou (P), President of the Volos Municipal Employees' Union
Babis Arabatzis (P) (N)
Matthaios Dramitinos (P), physician
Thanasis Fadakis, mechanical engineer

TRIKALA (6 suspects)
Panagiota Dritseli, former member of parliament (N)
Marina Kontotoli, businesswoman (P)
Pery Chartopoulou, attorney
Christos Simorelis, Member of Parliament
Lefteris Tsikrikas, musician
Yiannis Haidos, pharmacist (N) (P)

LARISSA (11 suspects)
Anna Vagena, Member of Parliament
Vasilis Kokkalis, Member of Parliament
Yiannis Karipidis, physician, deputy mayor of Elassona
Panagiotis Daes, Deputy Mayor of Larissa
Apostolos Pekas (N) (P), civil engineer
Petros Tsaknakis, Vice President of the OPEKEPE Employees' Association
Zoe Akrivouli (P), economist
Ermina Megaliou, Larissa Teachers' Union (ELME)

First Division, Athens (17 suspects)
Christos Vernardakis, Member of Parliament
Nikos Voutsis, Member of Parliament
Dimitris Tzanakopoulos (N), Member of Parliament
Nikos Filis, Member of Parliament
Jenny Arseni, director
Sophia Vidali, university professor, criminologist (P)
Anna Elefanti, actress
Maria Kanellopoulou, actress (P)
Maria Kouveli, attorney (P)
Chara Matsouka, physician
Nassos Iliopoulos (P) (N), former minister
Nikos Manios, former member of parliament
Dimitris Hatzinikolas (P), journalist
Tasia Christodoulopoulou, former minister

SOUTHERN SECTOR (23 suspects)
Theano Fotiou, Member of Parliament
Rallia Christidou, Member of Parliament
Yiannis Mouzalas, Member of Parliament
Yiannis Balafas, Member of Parliament
Nikos Pappas, Member of Parliament
Angeliki Douvi
Maria Karamesini (P)
Katranidou (P), labor union activist
Vasiliki Katrivanou, former member of parliament
Fotini Kouvela (P)
Manolis Vandoros, Information Technology
Nikos Gergos (N) (P)
Thanasis Theocharopoulos, former member of parliament
George Kyritsis, journalist
Yiannis Matsouranis (P), attorney
Stefanos Tzoumakas (P)

NORTHERN SECTOR
Euclid Tsakalotos, Member of Parliament
Kostas Zachariadis, Member of Parliament
George Katrougalos, Member of Parliament
Mariliza Xenogiannakopoulou, Member of Parliament
Panos Skourletis, Member of Parliament
Marios Athanasiou (P), actor
Dimitris Sakellaris, teacher
Dimitris Hatzisokratis,
Giorgos Balafas (P),
Anneta Kavvadia, former member of parliament
Anna Hatzisofia (P), screenwriter, director, actress

WESTERN SECTOR (15 suspects)
Efi Achtsioglou, Member of Parliament (N)
Chara Kafantari, Member of Parliament
Dimitris Vitsas, Member of Parliament
Yiannis Dragasakis, Member of Parliament
Panagiotis Kouroumblis, Member of Parliament
Panos Rigas, former minister
Rena Dourou (P), former member of parliament
Eleni Vlachou, postdoctoral researcher
Olga Kesidou, physician
Thanasis Papachristopoulos, former member of parliament

EASTERN ATTICA (15 suspects)
Christos Spirtzis, Member of Parliament
Panos Skouroliakos, Member of Parliament
Zoe Vareli Stefanidi, Sports
Angeliki Leventi (N), EFKA employee
Maggy Dousi (N), communications specialist
Koutsoubelis, Macedonia,
Myrto Korovesi, attorney
Kaiti Theochari, disability rights movement
Athanasiou Nasos, journalist
Yiannis Dedes, former member of parliament
Giorgos Karameros (P), journalist
Yiannis Boulekos (N) (P), attorney
Filippou (P), former mayor of Saronikos

WESTERN ATTICA (6 candidates)
George Tsipras, Member of Parliament
Diana Voutyrakou (N) (P)
Dionysia Stefatos, (N) (P), civil servant
Giota Pappa, Regional Councilor
Andreas Nefeloudis (P), former Secretary General of Labor

1st Piraeus (7 suspects)
Theodoros Dritsas, Member of Parliament
Fotini Bakadima (N) (P), Member of Parliament
Nikos Belavilas, university professor
Christos Fotiadis (N) (P), electrical engineer
Georgia Gennia, former member of parliament
Katerina Logothetis (N) (P), economist

2nd Piraeus (11 suspects)
Yiannis Ragousis, Member of Parliament
Tryfon Alexiadis, Member of Parliament
Nina Kasimati, Member of Parliament
Evi Karakosta, former member of parliament
Maria Giannakaki, former member of parliament
Kaiti Kyllakou, attorney
George Alevizopoulos, metalworker
Kotzai Antilian (N), “HORIZONS” Network of Young People of Immigrant Background”
Vasilis Manolakos, labor unionist
Theodotos Myltiadis, Deputy Mayor of Keratsini

ARGOLIS (5 suspects)
George Gavrilos, attorney
Takis Papaioannou (N) (P)
Vivi Skourti (P), teacher

ARKADIA  (5 suspects)
George Papaeliou, Member of Parliament
Christos Staikos, chemist
Dionysis Papadopoulos (P),
Antonia Giannoulis, actress

MESSINIA (7 suspects)
Alexis Haritsis, Member of Parliament
Petros Konstantineas, former member of parliament, sports
Manolis Makaris (P), physician
Stefanos Panagiotis, economist
Melina Verginadi, attorney
Gioula Zacharopoulou, HEDNO employee
Chara Kiouri, teacher

CORINTHIA (6 candidates)
George Psychogios, Member of Parliament
George Dedes, former Secretary General of Public Works
Maria Theleriti, former member of parliament
Elena Konomodi, attorney
Jenny Soukara, journalist

Euboea (8 candidates)
Vangelis Apostolou, Member of Parliament
Miltos Hatzigiannakis, Member of Parliament
Simeon Kedikoglou, former member of parliament
Theodora Akriontou, visual artist
Eulampia Fryganioti, interior designer
Alexandra Thalassinou, teacher

FTHIOTIDA (6 candidates)
Yiannis Sarakiotis, Member of Parliament
Nikos Papoutsas, attorney
Vasiliki Lazou, university professor

FOKIDA (3 suspects)
Ilias Kostopanagiotou, former member of parliament
Christos Tsamantanis, Engineer
Loukia Mastropérrou, attorney

EVRYTANIA (3 suspects)
Moses Berberis
Maria Ventouri

BOEOTIA (5 suspects)
Giota Poulo, Member of Parliament
Achilles Doumas, farmer
Charalambos Papacharalambous, attorney

LAKONIA (5 suspects)
Stavros Arachovitis, Member of Parliament
Panagiota Papagiannopoulou, accountant
Stamatakou Archontoula, retired bank employee
Alexios Tsalpatouros, ADMIE employee
Yemeri Soulván, sports

GREVENA (3 suspects)
Christos Bgialas, former member of parliament
George Kalamaras, civil servant
Fotini Tzouvara, attorney

FLORINA (4 suspects)
Perka Peti, Member of Parliament
Paschalia Hatzikonstantinou, preschool teacher
Stefanos Biros, former deputy regional governor of Florina
George Kotakidis, physician

KASTORIA (3 suspects)
Olympia Teligioridou, Member of Parliament
Kostas Giagopoulos, attorney (P) (N)
Yiannis Sissios, archaeologist

KOZANI (6 suspects)
Kalliopi Vetta, Member of Parliament
Efi Michalaki, teacher
Theodoros Karipidis, former regional governor of Western Macedonia
Kostas Pasalidis, former PPC employee

PELLA (6 suspects)
Theodora Tzachri, Member of Parliament
Paraskevi Dantsi, engineer
Yiannis Sefakis, former member of parliament
Sofia Stavridou, farmer from Skydra