The main leftfist opposition Syriza party is entering one of the most critical phases in its history, with the path toward the party’s internal elections over the next two months appearing increasingly complex.
After a stormy Central Committee meeting on Saturday, the main opposition party is now, unofficially, in pre-election mode. The deepening internal divisions were starkly highlighted during the meeting, marked by the departure of members aligned with Stefanos Kasselakis.
Although the "100" faction and its supporters secured a decisive win on the dates for the elections and the party congress, their narrow three-vote victory on the proposal to require candidates to submit asset declarations (pothen esches) has raised the stakes.
The "100" insist that submitting this document is mandatory for all candidacies, while official party sources emphasize that only the congress has the authority to approve or reject candidacies.
Mr.Kasselakis is expected to announce his candidacy in the coming days, likely within the week. Despite internal setbacks, his camp remains optimistic, focusing on his connection with the party’s grassroots. Kasselakis has been holding frequent meetings with associates and political figures and is planning a nationwide tour soon.
Meanwhile, Sokratis Famellos hinted at his potential candidacy during his speech at the Central Committee, outlining the qualities he believes a candidate should possess.
He is still deliberating on the timing of his official announcement. Pavlos Polakis, however, has already declared his intention to run and has vowed to campaign energetically across the country.
The Central Committee will reconvene on October 5 to finalize important details.
The proposal from the "100" for separate election dates for the party leader and the Central Committee, which was temporarily withdrawn, may re-emerge, a prospect Mr. Kasselakis’ supporters view as a red line. Other critical issues could also come up for a vote.
Delegates will be elected on October 19-20, using the same ratio (1 delegate for every 40 members) as in the February congress.
October 11 marks the deadline for registering as a member to vote in these elections, and the delegate elections are expected to significantly influence the party’s internal dynamics, with both factions fighting for a majority.
October 24 is the final date for leadership candidacy submissions.
This marks the beginning of a challenging phase for SYRIZA, as the requirement to submit asset declarations—possibly made public via the party’s website—could spark new tensions. How the Kasselakis camp will respond to this remains uncertain.
The Extraordinary Congress, scheduled for November 1-3, will formalize the leadership candidacies. The congress, as the party’s highest decision-making body, has the power to approve, reject, or even propose new developments. This moment could be pivotal for SYRIZA, potentially reshaping its future direction.
The internal race will culminate on November 24, with the first round of voting for the new party president and Central Committee. If necessary, a second round of voting for the president will take place on December 1.