Galery

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A few days before the introduction of the new economic measures for a vote in parliament and at a time of uncertainty for the future of the governing coalition, the main opposition party continues to lead in the preferences of voters.

According to the latest poll conducted by the Pulse RC agency, SYRIZA has strengthened its leading position as 25.5% of participants state they will vote for the party. New Democracy is the second in the ranking with 22% and Golden Dawn remains in the same place as third political force with 13%.

Independent Greeks and PASOK share the fourth place with 7%. Fifth is the Greek Communist Party with 5.5% followed by the third government partner, Democratic Left, with 4.5%.

9.5% of participants in the poll have not yet decided for whom they will vote this time, if there are elections.

Yesterday, however, one of the most prominent members of SYRIZA, Panagiotis Lafazanis, dampened the enthusiasm of the Greeks, who have confidence in the party, saying during a television broadcast, "We are not ready to take over the government of the country. I cannot cheat people. But at the same time, we have taken steps in this direction, and our progress is good." The statement provoked instant reactions in the public domain and therefore, the deputy had to correct it later, saying that if "people vote for SYRIZA, we will respond to this trust."

The deputy’s words fell like a bombshell at the headquarters of the party, especially after the leader Alexis Tsipras had said a little earlier that the party was "ready to stop the crash. We are ready to take responsibility for the recovery of the country."

A large number of Lafazanis’ party fellows tried to dispel the echo of his statement in various media. Dimitris Papadimoulis defined it as "unsuccessful" and advised his colleagues in the party bodies to be more careful when speaking publicly.

According to some sources, it is not excluded for an internal-party "war" to break out within SYRIZA between its leader Alexis Tsipras and Panagiotis Lafazanis, who are leaders of different political movements. It began with an article by the deputy in the Sunday "Avgi" newspaper. In it he opposed Alexis Tsipras’ meetings with representatives of European institutions and called those institutions "Brussels mandarins" (bureaucrats in the Chinese Empire – author’s note).

"I do not think that the meeting with Horst Reichenbach was necessary or useful in the least. I do not think SYRIZA needs the recognition of Brussels mandarins." The answer of the press service of the party was highly revealing and it seems that the battle between the supporters and opponents of the European perspective of Greece in SYRIZA is just beginning. In all cases, sources from the party headquarters said, "We will continue with those who are ready." The confrontation between the radical left and the left democratic group is likely to be discussed during the general meeting of the party later this month. The goal is for the issue not to remain open until the next election.

Television appearances of representatives of the party and their ideas for tackling the economic crisis provoke dozens of comments on social media every day:

"I am calm already. I have just heard Rena Dourou saying that SYRIZA’s Commission on Industrial Development is meeting at present."

"You are mocking Dourou’s "new social model" because you are not able to understand the capacities of the "Progressive currency." You should be ashamed of not understanding anything. "

"Alexis’ strategy is brilliant. Instead of bringing SYRIZA to the requirements of the situation in Greece, he will bring Greece to the standards of SYRIZA."