Three twenty-four hours of isolation, away from public appearancesbut also contacts beyond the absolutely necessary with his partners, were needed to lead Alexis Tsipras to the decision to resign from the leadership of SYRIZA and by the party organs. The people who were near him these days it was primarily his partner Betty Baziana and his sister Jeanette, but also his brother.

The decision, as he said himself, was not taken in the heat of the moment, as “now he has the experience to make decisions calmlyknowing that his decisions have consequences for other people.

The message that he would initiate immediate changes, contrary to the perception expressed by “Umbrella” trend for discussion and initiation of changes after the local elections, Mr. Tsipras gave it yesterday, when it became known that he would not take part in the European Socialists’ rally, where he participated as an observer, due to commitments in Athens. The die had been cast and the next step was the transition of Mr. Tsipras to Koumoundourou, earlier this morning. About the same time as his arrival at the party offices, it became known that Mr. Tsipras would make extraordinary statements in Zappeio– which also signaled the seriousness of their content. At the meeting of the executive office, where the atmosphere was explosive, according to the available information, Alexis Tsipras, after 15 years at the helm of the party, announced that it was time to leave.

In Zappeio everything was ready and waiting for him, while in Koumoundourou the meeting of the executive office was ending and the leaks about the impending resignation had already begun. Alexis Tsipras arrived in Zappeion accompanied by his very close associates, but also his partner Betty Baziana – who has been with him since their school days, when in the great occupations of ’90-’91 Alexis Tsipras led the way as the president of the 15-member group at the then Multidisciplinary High School of Ampelokipi.

Excited, which from a moment on he made no effort to hide, Mr. Tsipras took stock of the election result and explained his decision to resign. He said: “I understand the need for a new wave of SYRIZA. And I decided to step aside for him to pass. I have confidence in the human resources of our party. In the inexhaustible forces of society and the Left.

So I decided to propose the election of a new leadership by the members of the Party, as defined by its statute. Immediate recourse to the relevant procedures. In which of course I will not be a candidate. But I will be present before, during and after them.

I can’t hide that I’m excited. That this decision has an element of pain for me, as it would for anyone. But it also has an element of personal challenge.

To prove by my attitude and example that in life, in politics, especially in politics that refers to values, you can be combative and creative, perhaps in some cases even more useful, and without positions. To prove that the battle for ideas and supply is not defined by the chair one holds.

The resignation of Tsipras not only initiates the process of electing a new president, but also the process of appointing a new head of the parliamentary group. This process is expected to take place on Tuesday, after the swearing in of the new parliament with Mrs. Olga Gerovasili projecting as the most dominant.

The full statement of Alexis Tsipras follows:

There are certain moments when you are called upon to make critical decisions.

Where you are called to stand against history,
against those you marched with,
towards those who believed in you and based their expectations on you.
Against yourself.

But also towards those who fought and fought you.

I now have the experience not to take these decisions in the heat of the moment.

To take them on my pillow and torture them.
To decide calmly.
And that’s what I did for three twenty-four hours.
Because I’m well aware that my decisions affect other people.
They actually go beyond my own individual horizon.

In my election night statement I said that SYRIZA has now closed a great historical circlewhich we should treasure with pride.
And difficult, unprecedented, but even more hopeful and creative
I also talked about the need for difficult and brave decisionsconcerning SYRIZA-PS.
For the need to meet again with our values.
Of collectiveness, selflessness and social responsibility, to boldly renew our executive potential from top to bottom, showing confidence in young people, to put an end to attitudes that have cost us dearly
Add:
The need to invent the new SYRIZA, which will be able to modestly and with open eyes read the new contrasts and the new currents of society, the new challenges of the time, and respond to the expectations of those it wants to represent.

These difficult and brave decisions, called to serve a new vision, obviously concern me as well.

First of all me, who was the head of SYRIZA in the historical cycle that is closing.

At the age of just 34, I joined a small party of the Left.

The journey we took together was dangerous, full of pitfalls, but exciting.
From a small party, SYRIZA became the backbone of the progressive faction in Greece.
The first left party in Europe who ruled and even in historical moments for the homeland and Europe.
In incredibly difficult conditionswith society in ruins and the economy bankrupt.
And I had the luck and the honor, for which I owe gratitude to the Greek people and my comrades, to be the first left-wing prime minister.

This journey was a course where every day was a day of battle.
We faced a Europe suspicious and hostile towards Greece and an alliance of lenders who considered our homeland worthy of punishment.
We faced unbearable pressure and blackmail.
Which emanated from strong forces outside the country, but found strong supporters within it as well.

I declare today, this important day for me, proud of what we have achieved.
For the exit from the memoranda and the settlement of the debt.

To heal the wounds of society and the economy.
For the international image of Greece that we restored.
And of course for the historic Prespa Agreement.

This project is yours and ours.
No one can take it from us.

But this difficult journey also had compromises

He also had difficult decisions.
He also had injuries.
It also had wear and tear.

In any case, it was a journey that left an imprint on history.

His experiences, his successes, his mistakes, the battles we won on behalf of the country, but also those we lost, are an irreplaceable legacy for the new cycle of SYRIZA.
Because it’s time to open a new cycle.

As paradoxical as it may seem, the negative election result can and should become its beginning.

The electoral body gave SYRIZA PS a double command.

First, to respond to the role of official opposition.
Which is always and de facto the role of the party in power.
And second, to change drastically, if he wants to reclaim the government with claims.

We must respond to the popular mandate.

To reorganize immediately and without any delay.
Let’s not allow a single day to be lost both in the confrontation with the ND government, and in the confrontation with our own weaknesses, pathologies and problems.

A process of deep renewal and re-establishment, which will embrace all party members, but also the friends and social groups we want to represent, is an immediate priority.
The new SYRIZA is an immediate priority.
And it’s not just about our party.

It concerns the quality of our democracy, the resistance to the policies of the ND, the far-right front and the neo-fascism that has found a place in the Greek Parliament.

This belief of mine need of a process of deep renewal and re-establishment it would be hypocritical to propose it with my word aloneif I do not serve her at the same time with my attitude.
The new wave in society, art, politics, passes either with conflicts. The most usual.
Either because some people in positions of responsibility understand its necessity.
I too understand the need for a new wave of SYRIZA.

And I decided to step aside for him to pass.
I have confidence in the human resources of our party.
In the inexhaustible forces of society and the Left.

So I decided to propose the election of a new leadership by the members of the Partyas defined by its statute.
Immediate recourse to the relevant procedures.
In which of course I will not be a candidate.
But I will be present before, during and after them.

I can’t hide that I’m excited.
That this decision has an element of pain for me, as it would for anyone.

But it also has an element of personal challenge.
To prove by my attitude and example that in life, in politics, especially in politics that refers to values, you can be combative and creative, perhaps in some cases even more useful, and without positions.
To prove that the battle for ideas and supply is not defined by the chair one holds.

I want to address the thousands of members, friends and voters of SYRIZA, with whom I was and we were on this exciting journey.
I will continue to be by your side.

To feel you next to me.
The trip goes on.
And the most beautiful sea is the one we have not yet traveled.

But I also want to address all Greek men and women.

Some of you may be happy with my decision.
And some to feel sorry for.
But the next few years will not be easy for any of us.

Whatever he voted for in the last election.
We live in a period of successive crisesin an unstable economic environment, in a period of geopolitical tensions and challenges.
Faith in our values.
Our commitment to democracy and freedom, which is synonymous with Greece.
Love for man.
Solidarity.
The unity.
We over ego is the way to overcome all difficulties.

The progressive faction of the country, as always in history, will be a guide in this collective national effort.

And a new SYRIZA that will express it, can once again become the hope for a better tomorrow.

My decision serves this purpose.
This purpose I will always serve.
The hope for a better tomorrow.