SYRIZA Leadership Election: Kasselakis and Polakis Push for Accelerated Timeline, Supported by 87 Members

As SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance’s Central Committee convenes, two dominant proposals regarding the timeline for electing new leadership have emerged. The debate reflects an internal divide between those pushing for a swift election process to minimize the party’s public image damage and others advocating for a more structured political dialogue before the vote.

Polakis’ Proposal for Rapid Elections

The first camp, led by presidential candidate Pavlos Polakis, argues for an expedited internal process to counteract the party’s deteriorating public image. Polakis has proposed the following timeline:

• September 29, 2024: Candidate submission deadline
• October 5, 2024: Continuous party congress
• November 3, 2024: First round of presidential elections
• November 10, 2024: Potential second round of presidential elections

Kasselakis Camp’s Slight Adjustments

Stefanos Kasselakis’ camp, represented by Theodora Tzakri, has offered a nearly identical proposal but with a key difference: a two-day congress instead of one and a delayed second round due to the Athens Marathon. Their proposal includes:

• October 5-6, 2024: Extraordinary Congress for Political Platform and Candidate Nominations
• November 3, 2024: Election of President and Central Committee
• November 9, 2024: Second round for presidential election, if necessary

“Tsipras Guard” Advocates for Dialogue Before Voting

In contrast, the 87 members of the so-called “Tsipras Guard” back the Political Secretariat’s proposal, which emphasizes the need for a political platform and structured dialogue before the election. This proposal aims to ensure that each candidate presents their political vision before the members cast their votes. Their timeline includes:

• November 1-3, 2024: Extraordinary Congress to approve candidacies and policy documents
• October 19-20, 2024: Election of congress delegates (with a 1/40 ratio of registered members, similar to the February congress)
• November 24, 2024: Presidential and Central Committee elections
• December 1, 2024: Second round for presidential election, if needed

Political Stakes and Party Strategy

During the discussion, SYRIZA Parliamentary Group Leader Nikos Pappas urged the committee to adopt a balanced timeline that reflects the party’s collective values and reminds members of their shared mission. Pappas voiced his support for the Political Secretariat’s approach, stressing the need for a method that fosters unity and offers the electorate a clear understanding of the party’s direction.

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