SYRIZA leader Stefanos Kasselakis has stressed his desire for all party members and supporters to be able to share their thoughts, while stating the party’s forthcoming congress following the European elections will be “transformative”.
Mr Kasselakis discussed this among a range of topics in an interview with Kathimerini, wherein he also affirmed his belief that SYRIZA will win back voters despite the polls showing a decline in interest.
In the interview, the leader of the opposition spoke on his party’s most recent congress in which unity and trust were seen as key traits as they move forward, identifying this year’s European elections as the first step in this direction.
Mr Kasselakis shared the interest in holding a party congress potentially after the European elections, which he said would have a “transformative character” to it.
“The changes we will make will be based on the consultation process that has already begun with the members and friends of SYRIZA,” he said.
“My goal is to build a party that is attractive to every progressive citizen, especially young people, that is open and guarantees the expression of all its members’ opinions through digital consultation and referendums.”
Mr Kasselakis critisised PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis for having a “logic complimentary to the Right” while also addressed an openness to engage with all the left-wing parties, though explained that this would necessitate them recognising his party as the main opposition.
“We are moving step by step toward the formation of a great social alliance with all the vibrant forces of society that want to free the country from the right-wing policies of [Prime Minister Kyriakos] Mitsotakis together.
“The table of dialogue is always available, as long as there is the necessary respect for the role of SYRIZA and the necessary agreement that we are fighting against the Right without ambiguities and quid pro quos.”
In reference to the European elections, the SYRIZA leader said their goal is to launch a “great, progressive counterattack”.
“Our campaign and slogans will summarize our strategy for a democratic, social Europe and for the counterattack of progressive forces against the neoliberal Right and the dramatic rise of the far-right,” he said.
“We will show our citizens a comprehensive plan for Greece as a modern European state, but also for overcoming the structural identity crisis of the European Union.”
He expressed his wish and intention that all candidates for the elections, with the exception of their current Member of European Parliament, with emerge through primaries.
“We have repeatedly stated that SYRIZA is changing. We will be the first party in Greece to introduce this system, which will give its members and friends a practical say even in this most important procedure, which is the nomination of candidates for the European elections.”
In the interview, Mr Kasselakis responded to a question about the former SYRIZA government’s handling of the Novartis bribery case and the auction for TV broadcasting licenses, in which he said:
“In both cases, the SYRIZA government was on the side of justice, transparency and the public interest.”
When asked about his company in the United States, Mr Kasselakis says that he welcomes any investigation and has “nothing to hide”.
“Personally, I very much want justice to do its job, undistracted. But it should do it in all cases and not selectively. It should investigate everything, with the same zeal and the same speed,” he said.