Stefanos Kasselakis has pledged his commitment to remain active in the race for Syriza's presidency despite his recent disqualification by the party’s Central Committee.
"We will be here until the end," Mr. Kasselakis said in an interview with Mara Zacharea on Star TV’s main news broadcast, as he outlined his plans following the controversial decision.
In his first public remarks since the decision, Mr. Kasselakis stated that while he accepts the ruling, despite a "lack of confidentiality," he believes the Central Committee lacks the authority to disqualify any candidate.
He insisted that the final decision should be made by an extraordinary party congress, which he argued is the party’s highest governing body.
"Syriza has a constitutionally elected president, and the party belongs to its base. The grassroots must have their voice heard," Mr. Kasselakis emphasized.
He predicted that the congress may be postponed but warned that party members could take independent action if that happens. "And they will," he added.
He also called for the congress to be conducted democratically and urged supporters to register on his personal website, odikomassyriza.gr, in addition to joining local party organizations.
When asked about Syriza's official statement declaring the Central Committee’s decision final and comments that "the matter is closed," Mr. Kasselakis expressed surprise, questioning, "Who is issuing these statements?"
When pressed on whether he still considers himself a presidential candidate, Mr. Kasselakis responded, "At this moment, no one is officially a candidate. We have all just expressed our intention to run."
He continued, "Why won’t they let me be judged by Syriza’s base? Why won’t they let me lose? Imagine the embarrassment for me if I were to lose to an MP who was recently under my leadership. They won’t let me run because they’re afraid."
Mr. Kasselakis further alleged that 50 members of the Central Committee, who are on the party’s payroll, backed the decision against him despite disagreeing with the weekend’s events.
"Let them go work in the private sector. It’s unacceptable for people to make a living off the party while contributing to its destabilization," he remarked.
Looking ahead, Mr. Kasselakis proposed that the congress should elect both Central Committee members and the party president on the same day.
Meanwhile, he plans to continue his nationwide tour, which his team has described as a "march to the people." He is scheduled to visit Veria on Wednesday, followed by a brief return to Attica before continuing his tour in northern Greece.