Nikos Androulakis’ commitment to keep PASOK on an independent course, despite falling poll numbers, has again clashed with Socrates Famellos’ proposal for a joint progressive party ballot to challenge New Democracy.
SYRIZA president Famellos, in an interview with Dnews, said, “The ultimate goal is in the next elections, and in my opinion long before them, to have a ballot and a body that will defeat Mr. Mitsotakis and implement the progressive and democratic renaissance of our country.”
He also stated that “SYRIZA is ready to take initiatives at all levels. Without conditions, immediately and with actions” and that “Mr. Mitsotakis must have a strong progressive opponent who has a progressive government proposal.” Famellos expressed confidence that, “if there is political will, all the individual issues will be resolved.”
Addressing Androulakis directly, Famellos said, “The major thing is to overcome the party egos that were inevitable at the beginning of our effort. Beyond that, there are many alternatives for a winning ballot, which have no obstacles.” He added that SYRIZA wants to start a programmatic dialogue now with progressive political parties and movements.
Famellos criticized Androulakis’ refusal to join PASOK with other leftist parties calling it “neither viable nor feasible,” and urged him to unite with progressive forces to defeat New Democracy, warning, “The fragmentation of the progressive space only benefits this anti-popular government.”
In response, Androulakis, in a TV interview on OPEN, dismissed Famellos’ proposal, saying, “It’s not the first time he’s said it, he’s said it other times.” He argued that merging parties would only “reduce their audiences, so ultimately it helps New Democracy.”
Androulakis stressed that “the people are waiting for solutions, not scenarios or behind-the-scenes deals” and said New Democracy would be defeated when the Greek people see a clear program to improve their lives. He sarcastically asked, “If the parties merge, does their audience decrease, yes or no? So, who wins?”
Concluding, Androulakis reaffirmed his commitment to PASOK voters, saying, “In the next national elections, the Greek people must have a choice of a government and program against New Democracy. And I bear great responsibility for this and I will do everything I can to ensure that they have this choice.”
