Vassilis Kokkalis

From the very first days of his presence at the helm of Koumoundourou, the new party chairman, Socrates Famellos, has been moving towards a “reliable and large SYRIZA“, as his contacts and meetings with MPs and executives inside and outside the party’s walls have been successive in recent hours.

As main opposition SYRIZA heads to its congress this weekend, the most difficult one of recent years, there has been no letup in the tension between its leadership and the internal opposition.

The “Kasselistas” are escalating their internal power play, pressuring the five alternates on the SYRIZA State List. So far, the first alternate, Popi Tsapanidou, along with the other four candidates who could claim Iliopoulos’ seat, have remained silent.

An opposition lawmaker on Monday called on Interior Minister Niki Kerameus to take steps that would satisfy a public petition for former transport ministers to be prosecuted for the deadly train crash at Tempe last year.

New Democracy lawmaker Zoi Rapti on Wednesday recused herself from the parliamentary committee of inquiry on the fatal railway collision in Tempe, central Greece in February, after relatives of the victims filed a criminal action against her. 

Two lawmakers of the main opposition filed on Tuesday a criminal complaint with the prosecution of the Supreme Court asking it to investigate whether a minister and a former regional governor attempted to deceive voters ahead of local elections a few weeks ago.

Six Greek independent lawmakers who backed the government in a confidence vote on January 16 told Parliament President Nikos Voutsis they will approve any future legislation submitted by ruling SYRIZA, thus ensuring its majority in Parliament.

Independent Greeks (ANEL) leader Panos Kammenos dismissed Deputy Agricultural Development Minister Vassilis Kokkalis from ANEL's parliamentary group on Monday shortly after the latter confirmed that he would support the government in a vote of confidence this week.

The ejection of Kokkalis from ANEL's group followed that of Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura.

Deputy Agricultural Development Minister Vassilis Kokkalis confirmed on Monday that he would support the government in a vote of confidence this week.

Kokkalis, who is on an on official visit to China, thanked Independent Greeks (ANEL) leader for their cooperation, noting that "each of us has our own political course and is judged by society on the basis of that."

In comments to Skai television on Monday, the vice president of the Independent Greeks (ANEL) junior coalition partner, indicated that any ANEL ministers who retain their cabinet positions following the departure of ANEL leader Panos Kammenos "have received political trade-offs."