Compromise reached at New Left Congress, rift avoided

The agreement followed three days of intense internal negotiations that had brought the party to the brink of a split. The compromise bridged the two main positions on cooperation strategy, represented by party leader Alexis Charitsis and Secretary Gabriel Sakellaridis.

Joint Political Resolution Adopted

On Sunday afternoon, the Committee for the Draft Political Resolution finalized a joint text, which was presented to the congress plenary by Secretary Gabriel Sakellaridis. The document reflects a negotiated convergence with the views previously expressed by party president Alexis Charitsis, particularly on the issue of political alliances.

The resolution was approved with 16 votes against, 20 abstentions, and the remaining majority in favor, signaling broad—though not unanimous—support.

Agreement on “Popular Front” Orientation

At the core of the compromise is agreement on a “popular front” political orientation, a key demand of the Charitsis camp. The resolution stresses the need to build a broad political pole capable of confronting the Right through strategic opposition, rather than tactical or centrist adjustments.

While maintaining a critical stance toward other political formations, the text clarifies that criticism does not exclude dialogue, leaving open channels for potential cooperation under specific conditions.

Sharp Criticism of Personality-Driven Parties

The resolution includes strong criticism of personality-centered parties and leadership-driven strategies, arguing that such formations undermine credibility and have repeatedly failed in the past. According to the text, these approaches disorient the Left and the working class, preventing a clear collective response to today’s systemic crises.

Political Context and Strategic Assessment

The resolution states that while New Democracy (ND) remains politically dominant, it is not hegemonic. It warns of the risk that political realignment in Greece could occur through further rightward shift and the strengthening of the far right.

New Left positions itself as a force working toward the creation of a pole that confronts:

• Neoliberalism
• Restrictions on democratic rights
• The shift toward a war-oriented economy

Who the Popular Front Addresses

According to the decision, the proposed popular front is addressed to:

• The Left
• Political ecology movements
• Left-wing social democracy
• Social movements
• Citizens disengaged from electoral participation

The stated goal is to shift political balances and ultimately overturn the current government and right-wing policies.

Conditions for Any Unity Effort

The resolution outlines clear prerequisites for any unifying political effort:

• A program with clear and radical proposals, rejecting “lowest common denominator” politics
• Democratic and collective decision-making processes
• Respect for the autonomy of participating political forces
• Rejection of claims of exclusive political truth, historical score-settling, and self-justifying narratives

Rebuilding the Radical Left

Finally, the New Left emphasizes that alongside unity initiatives, it must continue working toward the reconstruction of the radical, reformist Left and political ecology, aiming to overcome the deep crisis affecting the broader left-wing space.

The party concludes that with a strong and autonomous organizational presence, it is prepared to take all necessary initiatives to form a political front capable of inspiring those seeking an alternative to the current political stagnation.

paratiritis