The presidential candidate explained the reasons that led him to run for the leadership of SYRIZA Famous Socratesduring an interview with the Nautemporikis channel and the RUSH HOUR program with journalists Nicole Livadaris and Pavlos Pantazopoulos.
Asked what determined his decision to run for the leadership of SYRIZA, Mr. Famellos replied: “The accelerated reduction of SYRIZA and its discredit. And, as I said in the candidacy announcement, the need to be proud of our party again.”
“I believe that SYRIZA must be restarted as quickly as possible, not because we need the presidents, but because it is necessary for Greek society. Have a progressive and non-aligned opposition that can propose a government in the face of Mr. Mitsotakis’ violence. But I think what takes precedencethat’s it to find a solution which will guarantee unity and seriousness the following day”, he added.
He also emphasized that he took on the responsibility of representing this proposal, that is, “to ensure unityas I did for a year as president of KO”, he noted.
“Kasselakis openly provoked censorship”
Afterwards, Sokratis Famellos recalled that at the conference he disagreed “with the election of a new president, as Stefanos Kasselakis had proposed”, but “it was important that we work together to reach a common ground, because that is what society needs”. I asked for this at the conference and the overwhelming majority of members chose it. So attempts were made. Efforts were made to restore understanding, credibility and have a voice. Unfortunately, conference decisions were violated. And after the European elections, things went from bad to worse. Personal promotion, conflicting political positions….”
note that the former president refused – after the European elections – appeal to the base and “openly provoked censorship». “I have asked many times for something like this not to happen, it would be a stain on SYRIZA’s history. Unfortunately, this was not noticed. I don’t know if there was a wrong political assessment, but I’m not worried, I’m interested in our party and the way we serve society.”
“The debate about ‘hoods’ hurts the left”
In a question about Mr. Kasselakis’ statements about “hood”Mr. Famellos said characteristically: “It’s a conversation that hurts and our party and the history of the left. Citizens are telling us to stop this conversation. The Central Committee was appointed. I fully support that such positions have nothing to do with our history.”
“I was, am and will be SYRIZA”
“A key element of my political presence is consistency, I cannot suspend the criticisms I have made so far and which are political. Let’s make this clear. I made clear political criticisms, but at the same time I absolutely respected SYRIZA’s democratic processes until now. And that’s what I did and the former president knows this when he came to Parliament on the first day”, said the SYRIZA presidential candidate, responding to a question about the following day and his relations with Stefanos Kasselakis.
“I was, I am, I will be SYRIZAbecause I believe it is necessary. I am not retracting my basic political belief about the need for SYRIZA, possibly with some electoral outcome. But I am of the opinion that the result will be completely different”, he added, stressing that in the case of his election “SYRIZA will have a government proposal”.
For alliances
Mr. Famellos did not rule out possibility of allianceshowever, he emphasized that “alliances also need trustworthy people to serve them. I consider that my proposal as presidential candidate also brings advantages in this area, because it has a technocratic basis, it also has a self-administrative basis, as well as in the exercise of ministerial functions and parliamentary work”.
For internal party elections and the possibility of holding debates
Asked about his assessment of participation in the elections for the selection of a new leadership in SYRIZA, Mr. Famellos stressed that “our objective is a great participation”, at the same time that he was in favor of holding a debate between the presidential candidates.
