SYRIZA: “Trends” and “currents” at… low levels

By Gerasimos Livitsanos

The «factions» and «currents» within the organization appear to be moving cautiously, so as not to give the impression of introversion or internal conflicts, SYRIZA. This is happening even as the election of prefectural bodies and the finalization of the party's political platform are underway.

Although there are internal party issues—open to discussion— upcoming elections, and differing approaches, it appears that all sides are making an effort to maintain an atmosphere that will ensure SYRIZA’s stance remains, first and foremost, the role of the opposition to the current administration’s New Democracy. In fact, it is rumored that the processes underway on all sides are part of a sort of «understanding» with the party chairman Alexis Tsipras in order to prevent any disruption of the balance.

We would like to remind you that the culmination of SYRIZA’s programmatic organization process is scheduled for this coming April. At that time, an expanded policy conference will be held, with up to 2,000 party officials participating. The conference will be held virtually unless public health conditions allow for an in-person gathering.

Members' Movement and Radical Alternative Unity

The two «blocks» into which the so-called «presidential», that is, the «Member Activity» and the newly emerging Radical Alternative Unity (RENÉ) They met online yesterday, Sunday. The focus of both meetings was on internal party developments and the elections to be held in February to select the bodies that will emerge from the Prefectural Conferences of the party. Also, the procedures for developing SYRIZA’s platform in the coming months.

However, as things stand, even though reports indicate that these processes saw high participation, it does not appear that any documents—platforms—will emerge.

This put an end to the rumors that the Members' Movement, in particular, intended to respond to the text submitted by the «Umbrella» (a movement involving the «53» as well as long-standing SYRIZA leaders such as N. Voutsis, Panos Skourletis, and N. Filis) in anticipation of its final meeting Political Council of SYRIZA. However, the former Deputy Minister of Health and current head of the transparency department for SYRIZA had hinted at upcoming responses to this text in a post on social media.SYRIZA, Pavlos Pollakis.

Many members of SYRIZA’s parliamentary group, as well as dozens of party officials, attended the meeting of the «Members» Movement.” Among them was the Nikos Pappas, Yannis Balafas, Kostas Zachariadis, Chara Kafantari, Petros Kokkalis, Christos Giannoulis, Katerina Notopoulou and others. Reports indicate that particular emphasis was placed on the need to expand SYRIZA at the local organizational level, a point on which this specific faction is particularly insistent. At the same time, it was widely agreed that SYRIZA’s platform must address both the need to broaden the party’s appeal to a progressive audience and to clearlythe substance of progressive governance in contrast to the current one.

At the RENÉ meeting, in addition to its three informal coordinators, who are Antonis Kotsakas, Panos Rigas, and Nikos Skorinis It is reported that senior officials and a member of parliament were also involved, such as the head of SYRIZA's Culture Committee Sia Anagnostopoulou, the former Minister of the Environment Socrates Famellos, the competent For media inquiries, please contact Natasha Gara but also the Stefanos Tzoumakas. It should be noted that the Radical Alternative Unity rejects—for itself—the concept of a «faction» stating that it is a «current of ideas» aimed at fostering a rich dialogue within the party.

The Umbrella

The «Ombrela» political faction within SYRIZA also appears to be adopting a low-key approach. Its efforts appear to be focused on keeping the door «open» for expressing its views. Without being perceived as «opposing» SYRIZA’s collective functioning or the implementation of its decisions.

As the [name] characteristically stated, Panos Skourletis in an interview with Real FM, the texts submitted do not constitute opposition. As he aptly put it, «the “Umbrella” text, as well as other texts, are essentially positive contributions to a necessary dialogue. Our movement has a tradition of such internal, democratic dialogue. 90-95% of SYRIZA officials participate in these kinds of internal dialogue initiatives. There is no element of a split here. And I do not accept this journalistic jargon—which has been imposed on us for many, many years—regarding “intra-party opposition.” We are the opposition to the Mitsotakis »And we want this government to be defeated and brought down. There is no opposition within SYRIZA, nor do we discuss matters in those terms. There is a well-established culture of democratic dialogue.".

He added that «all of these are unifying contributions that bring people together and, above all, help our opposition discourse gain greater impact and persuasiveness, so that it can be more effective.».