Famellos tells SYRIZA rebels to stop 'shenanigans' as Polakis walks out of party meeting
Party president Sokratis Famellos warned dissenting members to respect the Central Committee's vote to back Alexis Tsipras's leftist coalition, while Pavlos Polakis quit the Political Secretariat meeting and called for a new leadership vote.
Internal rift deepens
Sokratis Famellos, president of SYRIZA, delivered an ultimatum to party dissenters during the Political Secretariat meeting on Thursday, demanding that members respect the Central Committee's decision of 6 June to support Alexis Tsipras's Hellenic Left Coalition (ELAS). Tensions boiled over when Pavlos Polakis walked out before the session concluded, accusing the leadership of pursuing a "dead-end strategy" and insisting on an immediate reconvening of the Central Committee. Fellow dissenter Nikos Pappas echoed the criticism, describing the party's course as lacking a roadmap and warning that current polling numbers demand a different approach. Rena Dourou, another internal critic, argued that separate electoral tickets do not necessarily mean confrontational ones, but called for the party to rebuild with remaining forces and seek maximum progressive alliances.
Famellos's call for discipline
The party president framed the 6 June vote, which passed with roughly 75% support, as a "historic, clear and bold decision" that must be implemented without endless renegotiation. He dismissed repeated calls for fresh meetings as "unprecedented shenanigans" that violate the democratic will of party members.
Famellos insisted that the collective implementation of the decision is the best answer to scenarios of dissolution or suspension of the party's operation.It is inconceivable that we decide something democratically and then, from the very first day, some of our cadres pretend they didn't understand or present their minority views as the decision.
The policy agenda
Beyond the internal dispute, Famellos outlined the party's immediate priorities, including rule of law issues, constitutional revision, a new local government code, and tackling the cost-of-living crisis, jobs, and housing. He announced that SYRIZA would hold meetings with economic chambers and institutions from July, activate its preparations from August, and participate in the Thessaloniki International Fair (DETH) with an updated economic programme. A new Central Committee session was scheduled for September, after the fair. He also noted that SYRIZA encourages progressive dialogue, citing the recent "Kosmos" conference.
Divergent views on ELAS
Polakis, after exiting the meeting, publicly questioned whether Famellos had officially confirmed with Tsipras that ELAS is willing to cooperate, saying "you cannot have a strategic declaration from the Hellenic Left Coalition that says we don't cooperate with parties, we don't cooperate with MPs, we talk only to individuals, and still insist."
Thanasis Theocharopoulos, speaking at the session, argued that the party offers "critical support" to ELAS, meaning both support and criticism, and that SYRIZA must prepare for all scenarios. Dourou added that unity can only be achieved after elections, given ELAS's current stance.The catastrophic course of the party must stop after the incomprehensible decision of the Central Committee.
- Central Committee votes to support Tsipras's ELAS initiative with a 75% majority
- Political Secretariat meeting erupts; Polakis walks out, demands new Central Committee
- SYRIZA begins meetings with chambers and economic bodies
- Party activates and prepares for Thessaloniki International Fair
- New Central Committee meeting scheduled after the fair
