Normally on the ballot papers of SYRIZA, in the Northern Sector of Athens will be o George Katrougalos: Despite his retirement from the election battle that he announced via twitter, but also from SYRIZA with his announcement, in which it is stated that “whoever deviates from the Change Contract, either consciously or by mistake, puts himself outside the collective effort for the great change” , Mr. Katrougalos has been duly declared a candidate by the Judiciary. Thus, even if there was time to print new ones, his name could not be regularly on the ballots.

According to sources from SYRIZA, with his statement he is calling on people not to vote for him, since he is withdrawing from the electoral battle. However, a cross in his name in no way invalidates the ballot. Even in the event that he is “crucified” and finds himself in an elected position, his statement shows the path of resignation, after he has previously sworn in the new parliament. Already, however, the message from the party to the voters is that Mr. Katrougalos has been excluded. It is noted that sources of the Ministry of the Interior noted that Mr. Katrougalos remains a candidate – at least formally, after his declaration – from the moment he has been declared by the Supreme Court, but they pointed out that if elected, he can surrender his seat in accordance with his statement.

According to sources from SYRIZA, however, both Katrougalou’s statement and the announcement from Koumoundourou were preceded by communication between Alexis Tsipras and the former minister – who, it is noted, was one of his closest collaborators. In communication Mr. Tsipras he is reported to have emphasized that statements such as the controversial one about the contributions of freelancers made by Mr. Katrougalos, “blur” the message of the party to the middle class which is not new burdens, but reliefs.

See the controversial statements of Mr. Katrougalos: