Sokratis Famellos described the decision of Stefanos Kasselakis to be replaced by Nikos Pappas as the president of the Parliamentary Group as unjustified and harmful for SYRIZA, speaking on the show “Mismatches” on SKAI.

In particular, when asked about the developments in the official opposition party, Sokratis Famellos said that “until yesterday, I didn’t know anything. In the morning, Stefanos Kasselakis informed me that he intends to propose the change of the presidency as a whole, and I answered him what I said yesterday to the Parliamentary Group, that is, apart from being an unjustified proposal, the main thing is that it is a harmful proposal for SYRIZA. The bureau had not presented any deficit, we had expressed the unity of SYRIZA and we opened an internal matter for no reason.”

“The presidium’s assessment was positive on the president’s proposal and I have no answer. It was harmful because we opened an internal issue and we don’t discuss society’s problems,” he added. Mr. Famellos, when asked about whether there was a problem with Mr. Kasselakis, emphasized, in fact, that since the beginning of August they had been working together for the intervention in the TIF.

I am neither an ally nor an opponent of Mr. Kasselakis

Among other things, Mr. Famellos emphasized “I am interested in the existence of SYRIZA and unity and I think that we defended this as a Parliamentary Group and this is what I will continue to do. I am neither an ally nor an opponent of Mr. Kasselakis. The party has chosen Stefanos Kasselakis, but where there is a matter of political difference I will tell him and I will tell it to the organs as I did yesterday”.

“Many MPs who voted in favor of Mr. Kasselakis’ proposal made a positive assessment of the presidency. Within the KO, I received unanimous support for our presidency,” he noted afterwards.

Asked if he believes there are signs of dissolution, Mr. Famellos replied “SYRIZA should not be dissolved, I believe in the existence of SYRIZA and its necessity”.

“The process of electing the chairmanship of the KO was done through a democratic process, but the fact that there was no justification and at the same time this opens an internal issue is a political mistake. However, one cannot characterize the process as anti-democratic.”

Asked if he himself intends to challenge Mr. Kasselakis in the Central Committee, he emphasized “I don’t think there are priorities in the debate about persons, nor have I ever messed with the issues of challenge. Yesterday I said that this choice of the president is detrimental to SYRIZA and I hoped that he would reverse his decision. I believe that the most important thing is unity and I will not violate this issue.

SYRIZA must become better

Asked about the possibility of internal party elections, Mr. Famellos said that “from the first day I did everything to ensure that the function of the president was not questioned. I believe that SYRIZA must become better and that includes the president and all of us. We are a collective.”

“I did not connect the personal attack with yesterday’s developments. There was an obscene online post from an account that was rather anonymous implicating me that I have not subscribed to the Party Media. I make it clear that I will appeal to the Court of Justice” noted Mr. Famellos in response to whether the personal attack he had recently received had predisposed him to the decision of Stefanos Kasselakis.