SYRIZA unplugged

The most convenient interpretation is that SYRIZA won the elections 10 years ago as an anti-austerity party rather than a left-wing one. This, the theory goes, led to a gradual loss of support as the party adjusted to fiscal realism and European rationalism.

Following their defeat in 2019, SYRIZA leaders refused to acknowledge that they had risen to power by capitalizing on the so-called "indignant" wave and attracting support from the pool of populist nationalist voters (as they went on to pick Independent Greeks [ANEL] leader Panos Kammenos as coalition partner). Their self-criticism was superficial, primarily addressing communication failures while neglecting to reflect on the anti-institutionalism, clientelism, populism and hostility that characterized key aspects of their political agenda.

The fact that the self-proclaimed wealthy expatriate from...