Syriza: Stefanos Kasselakis raises the electoral barrier – his assessment of the percentage in the Euro-election

Stephanos Kassalakis, leader of the SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance, seems optimistic about the upcoming European elections. “On June 9, Greece will be stunned by the result,” he repeated, putting “2” ahead of the percentage Koumoundourou’s party would receive on election night.

The official opposition leader, in an interview with Action24, said, “The day after the European elections, I am confident that we will get a good result and a new mandate to move forward with a great progressive party. It will change the place, bring merit and justice”.

Stefanos Kassalakis estimated that SYRIZA is very close to the results with more than 20%.

And he explained: “You will be stunned on the night of the European elections. Departing from previous elections, we are now seeing more people who are active. The world is mobilizing to take life into their own hands”, stressing that “I will be very happy if we reach 20%, I think we are very close”.

Stefanos Kasselakis underlined, “They finished us 3 months ago. Kasselakis will leave at Christmas, he will not last until the European elections” and sent a message, “We will continue to be direct democracy, clean, honest and active in society”.

Regarding the opening debate for Zoe Konstantopoulou, he clarified, “This is not an opening for Mrs. Konstantopoulou, it is an opening for the whole progressive world, which is likely to create a strong progressive opposition on June 9. The party starting point of many fellow citizens from a wide territory is Syriza. I know it’s not, but we have to change the country. We’re not going to change our philosophy. Culturally, the freedom of navigation of MPs, we’re going to join this new world, but we’re not going to get involved in the leaders’ deals.”

In reply to Nikos Androulakis

At another point, in an exhaustive interview, he said, “Syriza will remain Syriza. It will have a legitimate convention, it will open its structures wide. There will be modernization, digitization and direct democracy. The party yearbook will not be the primary factor. It will not be a factor in general. It will be a privilege and a qualification. If the progressive world (…) equips us to be a strong opposition party with a clear message after June 9, the President of Syriza will equally warm to all fellow citizens and executives and professionally form a new government in the future”.

Commenting on the antics of Nikos Androulakis, who commented that he had not slept all night because he was upset that he would not be called the day after the European elections, he said:

“This says a lot for Mr. Androlakis’ contradictory reaction, which reveals insecurities on many issues that do not fit a proud center-left government proposal. What I have to offer the world is a professional, I have badges in the market, I have experience overcoming many domestic obstacles, I have worked, and abroad. You know I can represent my country abroad.The main thing is that I am not a child of the party pipe, I am not here to be involved in politics.

Kiriakos Mitsotakis and Alexis Tsipras

Regarding the personal attack Kyriakos Mitsotakis made against him, he asserted, among other things, that he was arrogant:

“He who has a fly bites. I am happy that the section that accuses SYRIZA of being toxic has turned into a tool of pre-election toxicity. I had only positive words to say about him personally in my interview yesterday, and I strongly disapprove of the harsh neoliberal policy of bankrupting many families instead of imposing an extraordinary tax on banks’ surplus profits.

Asked about his relationship with Alexis Tsipras, Stephanos Kassalakis said: “Our relations are good, nothing has changed since his appearance in the presentation of our European ballot. On the contrary, I believe that the party and I personally supported the hard work of the Prespa deal by him and Nikos Kotsias.”

Finally, he said, among other things, that “the modern left includes the entire center.”