SYRIZA faces internal struggle over election strategy: Coalition or independent run?
SYRIZA is grappling with internal debates over its election strategy, weighing whether to run independently in the upcoming polls or form a coalition with Alexis Tsipras and other progressive forces. The discussion is largely focused on the terms of cooperation with Tsipras, who reportedly does not wish to include certain SYRIZA officials in his new political formation.
On Monday, SYRIZA press spokesperson Kostis Zachariadis outlined the party’s approach to cooperation. “We are making a coordinated effort to achieve the broadest unity of progressive forces. The forces we are addressing include smaller movements, such as those led by N. Kotzias, L. Katseli, P. Kokkalis, and larger movements, including New Left, PASOK, and, of course, Alexis Tsipras. If PASOK decides to run alone at its congress—which seems likely—and narrowly defeats Mr. Mitsotakis, it raises questions for the rest of us about our next steps.”
Zachariadis emphasized that SYRIZA aims to rebuild the broader progressive space without closing itself off. “We do not want to shut down SYRIZA-PS. However, statements like ‘if it doesn’t happen this way, I’ll run alone’ risk becoming self-fulfilling prophecies,” he said.
Meanwhile, former SYRIZA Deputy Finance Minister Tryfon Alexiadis, aligned with Pavlos Polakis, stressed that the party will either participate in a broad coalition or run alone if no agreement is reached. “There can be no suspension of SYRIZA’s operation. Those suggesting otherwise haven’t read the constitution. We are a party with settled debts and property assets. Our focus is whether other political forces want to unite against Mitsotakis,” Alexiadis said. He added that it is “ridiculous” to consider joining PASOK as officials and urged a decision within two to three months on whether to act collectively or independently.
Power dynamics within the central committee
Within SYRIZA’s Central Committee at Koumoundourou, power counting is underway. Officials are divided between Sokratis Famellos’ position and Pavlos Polakis’ approach, which favors waiting to see which parties respond to their outreach before deciding whether to run alone. The majority of MPs appear to prefer waiting for Alexis Tsipras’ announcement, expected between July and September regarding his new political formation.
In the meantime, on Monday, Grigoris Theodorakis resigned as deputy press spokesperson of SYRIZA after complaints that he had moved to Amalias and was not performing adequately. He has since joined Alexis Tsipras’ new party headquarters.
