«The time has come for all of us to take our responsibilities», says Poppy Tsapanidou, the spokesperson of SYRIZA-PS, in an interview with the «Journal of Editors», answering the question about her motive for taking this position and adding that «these elections will be very crucial for our future and that of our children».
He goes on to explain: «The debt that every citizen feels for the course of events in his country was the driving force behind my decision. At a political juncture when the rule of law is under threat, when precision is knocking at the door of every household and every small and medium-sized enterprise, and when young people are pessimistic about their future, one cannot say “I do not see what is happening around me”. I will do everything I can to offer my contribution so that we can achieve political change in the coming elections.
Asked about her political and ideological stance, she notes: «If a leftist is considered to be someone who cares for those who have been deprived of the opportunities of others, who is interested in human rights, who does not turn a blind eye to difficult situations in their work environment and who seeks a progressive direction for society, then, yes, that is the political framework with which I would like to identify.».
Asked whether it is a barrier that he was not a member of SYRIZA, he replied: «As a citizen, I always perceived myself as belonging to the large space where all democratic and left-wing citizens in Greece move. In my journalistic career, I have always been concerned about giving a voice to the weak, to people who were not visible from the conservative centres of power, to those who were struggling for their survival, but also to those who were fighting, for example, for women's rights or for the LGBTI community. The fact that I have not participated in party life until today, I think, is an example that the invitation to participate to people who have not been active until now, not only was SYRIZA - PS meant to do so, but it is actually implementing it. So I, along with thousands of others, am happy to respond to this call, to assist in the great changes that our country needs».
Tsapanidou argues that SYRIZA can win hegemony in society and explains: «In the three and a half years that have passed since the last elections, SYRIZA-PS has put forward a series of proposals on the economy, culture, health, education, development, housing, energy, public transport, labour, public administration, security, foreign policy and immigration, which form a progressive programme of governance compared to the extreme conservative and neoliberal plan currently being implemented by Mr Mitsotakis. SYRIZA-PS is a party with open horizons and honest people. And this is the key to winning the trust of the majority of citizens again in the next elections.».
As for whether he will be in the next parliament, he answers: «As you know, the discussion on the SYRIZA - PC ballot papers is currently underway. Therefore you will have to be patient until the final decisions of Alexis Tsipras and the party organs.».
