SYRIZA's change of leader sparks "life and death" debate

The election of a brand new name to the presidency of SYRIZA, who did not have a long history in the party before, led to criticism in some quarters that SYRIZA may shift from its leftist line and even divisions may occur within the party, while in others, Stefanos Kaselakis, as an inclusive leader, could lead the party to power.

Stefanos Kaselakis, born in Athens in 1988, won a scholarship to study and live in the USA at the age of 14 after winning first place in a maths competition.

After a scholarship and a successful student life, Kaselakis studied finance and economics and had his first serious work experience at the multinational investment bank Goldman Sachs.

Kaselakis, who met SYRIZA members in 2021 as a young and successful Greek living in the diaspora, was a parliamentary candidate from SYRIZA lists in the May and June general elections, but failed to enter parliament.

After SYRIZA, the major partner in the government during the economic crisis, lost "blood" in the May and June elections, former President Alexis Tsipras announced that he would leave the party leadership and the party would hold elections for the leadership, Kaselakis made a surprise exit and became a candidate.

Kaselakis criticised for being out of touch with the "realities" of the country

Kaselakis was criticised for not knowing enough about the history of Greece, the internal political balances in the country and SYRIZA's leftist ideology.

In fact, Kaselakis, who speaks fluent English as well as French, German and Spanish, was also criticised for his lack of command of the Greek language.

Kaselakis was the target of criticism when he used terminology other than the Greek official thesis in a statement on the Cyprus problem, but he responded to these criticisms in a video posted on the social media platform "Tik Tok", emphasising that he left the country at the age of 14 and that he had only been a permanent resident in Greece for a few months.

Stating that he sometimes has difficulty remembering the right words, Kaselakis said: "It is a matter of several months of practice for me to learn."

Kaselakis beats SYRIZA veterans in presidential race

Despite all the criticism directed at him, Kaselakis managed to win the party leadership in Sunday's second round of elections, beating Efi Ahcioglu, a minister in SYRIZA's government and a cornerstone of the party.

Nevertheless, criticism and scepticism about him have not ceased.

Sceptics of the new leader

Although Kaselakis gave a message of unity within the party and openness to everyone, there are those who argue that a rupture within the party is inevitable and that SYRIZA will move away from the leftist ideological line.

Panayotis Skurletis, one of the oldest members of the party, who served in different ministries during the SYRIZA government, was among those criticising Kaselakis, as were many other party members.

Skurletis stated that SYRIZA was already in an existential crisis and commented that Kaselakis' leadership of the party was "salt and pepper on it".

Kaselakis has emerged as a leader with a different narrative style, who grew up in the USA, who appeals to young people on social media channels such as "Tik Tok", as opposed to the former members of SYRIZA with classical leftist ideology.

Kaselakis, who has the appearance of a leader who can "compete" with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in terms of qualifications such as education abroad and good English, nevertheless had difficulties in convincing some SYRIZA veterans that the unity within the party and the leftist line would continue.

There are those who see Kaselakis as "new blood" for the party

On the other hand, there were those who saw Kaselakis as an inclusive leader, a "fresh blood" for the party, who would lead the party back to power, erase the bad memories of SYRIZA's rule during the economic crisis, and fulfil the expectations of the people.

Speaking to AA correspondent, SYRIZA Central Committee Deputy Secretary Yorgos Vasiliadis stated that SYRIZA, which went through a difficult period, entered a new era after the election defeat and the resignation of former President Alexis Tsipras from the leadership:

"The very high turnout in the presidential elections shows that our party is still alive and that the people are looking to us for suggestions and solutions for a better future. A change of leader is of course not smooth. It is not easy."

Vasiliadis emphasised that Kaselakis wanted to create a more open party by giving party members more duties and voice.

Vasiliadis stated that the party did not enter an easy path, but they were optimistic about its future, and noted that if the party members adopted a serious line, there would be no question of breaking away from the party.

Vasiliadis said, "There will definitely be different discussions within the party. There will always be a democratic process in the party.