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Many in SYRIZA’s in-house opposition camp, as well as some supporters of its leadership, have voiced their disagreement with the concessions on the party’s election programme, which the government has made while agreeing with the Eurogroup. A sizeable group takes shape of those who would like to hold a referendum.

Yesterday, at a six-hour meeting of SYRIZA’s political office, a great deal of party members voiced their concern, or even alarm, that "acting as the government does will lead to losing its touch with the people, and the people is where the party gets its strength and political capital."

Oversight equals troika

"Oversight and the troika are the same," said a party representative, and voiced his disapproval of the conditions Athens has succumbed to. Another activist associated the pressure coming from the partners with the government's desire to officially rollout next week the draft laws suspending bank foreclosures on homes and introducing various labour protections, which Alexis Tsipras had set forth earlier on.

"If we keep going the way we do, we won't be able to live up to what we said in our programme," the activist argued. "When the people sees us electing a president together with New Democracy, accepting the creditors oversight and asking for lengthening of the credit agreement, then the people will realise we are backtracking in a big way," he said. Another SYRIZA member admitted: "We are right in between a catastrophic deficit and a catastrophic agreement."

Referendum or elections?

SYRIZA circles argue that the party needs to go back to the people if blackmailed or forced to back down on its promises. The party is well advised to put across to citizens whatever takes place, which implies either a referendum, or even elections – in a situation where, according to party activists, "we have shared power with political forces, which are dangerous."

Meanwhile Panos Skourletis, Alekos Flambouraris and Tasos Koronakis have embarked on calming unrest in party circles. They demonstrated optimism that a solution would be found in the end, and argued a bridging programme was necessary, so that the government might get the time it needs to continue negotiations. "All that happens is featured in our election promises ... Even if there are some ambiguities, they will be clarified over time."