Syriza leadership election

According to the MRB poll presented on Open’s main news broadcast, SYRIZA is ranked as the fifth party, with a single-digit percentage of 9% in the vote estimate. Meanwhile, New Democracy (ND) holds a comfortable lead at 28%, matching its European election result, with a 12.5-point advantage over PASOK, which stands at 15.5%, just 18 days before the party’s internal elections.

A quote from Stefanos Kasselakis seems to “lock in” his candidacy for the leadership of SYRIZA, judging by how he addressed party MPs in their latest conversation.

Specifically, Mr. Kasselakis, speaking via Skype, said: “I will do everything to prove worthy of your trust and that of all SYRIZA members who are concerned about the party’s future.”

SYRIZA MP Olga Gerovasili slammed recently-ousted party leader Stefanos Kasselakis on Wednesday but stopped short of confirming whether she will run for the party leadership in the upcoming election.

With the ousted President of SYRIZA Progressive Alliance, Stefanos Kasselakis, currently in Italy, as revealed today by protothema.gr, top party officials are meeting this afternoon with a “toolbox” of criteria to finalize the roadmap, the characteristics of the upcoming Congress, and primarily the terms for participating in the race for new leadership.

SYRIZA member Dionysis Temponeras has dismissed media speculation about his candidacy in the upcoming leadership elections for the main opposition party.

"I will not be a candidate for the presidency of SYRIZA, just as I have never been a candidate for MP, mayor, MEP, or regional governor," Temponeras said on Monday.

SYRIZA parliamentary group leader Nikos Pappas denied reports that he would be a candidate in the upcoming elections for the SYRIZA presidency during a press conference held as part of the 88th Thessaloniki International Fair on Sunday.

Nikos Pappas, the leader of SYRIZA’s Parliamentary Group, held the traditional press conference as part of the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF).

Mr. Pappas represented SYRIZA at the TIF following the removal of Stefanos Kasselakis from the party’s leadership, after the meeting of the Central Committee.

The countdown to the election for a new SYRIZA leader has been marred by court threats, verbal assaults, accusations and the presence of the police to maintain the security at party headquarters.

The office, traditionally used by the leader of the opposition, now belongs to the new SYRIZA Parliamentary Leader, Nikos Pappas.

The order to restrict entry was given by Mr. Pappas while he was away in Thessaloniki for official duties.

SYRIZA MP Pavlos Polakis, who has announced his intention to run for the party leadership in late November, expressed regret for having supported the recently ousted leader Stefanos Kasselakis during the vote that elevated him to the head of the main opposition party.