By Antonis Anzoletou

And suddenly the ‘score’ read 18-3. The meeting of the Central Committee of SYRIZA last weekend, dramatically changed the balance in the party which is entering the ‘post-Kasselakis’ era. The former internal party opposition has now taken the ‘reins’ of Koumoundourou and its line regarding the time of the congress and the elections has passed and they will not be held soon.

They wanted more time so that programmatic issues could be discussed and they won it. Possibly also to “erase” the Kasselaki period by reassembling a large part of the old base. Time is also the critical factor for his next moves Stefanou Kasselakis.

According to information, Mr Pavlos Polakis and Theodora Tzakri proposed that the leadership election with a permanent congress (without the election of new congressmen) be held on October 13. The polls to be set up 20 days later on November 3rd. It is possible that this proposal, on the part of Kasselakis, was a “signal” of the former president’s return to the electoral race. Finally, the top governing body of SYRIZA will convene from 1 to 3 November and the first round of elections on the 24th of the same month.

Time is not long. The would-be leaders should slowly open their cards in order to gain time in the pre-election race. The Central Committee will be held on September 21 and by then some “revelations” may have been made. The big “mystery” about what Stefanos Kasselakis will do remains. At his home in Spetses, in a family environment, he collects his thoughts during this period and only talks to close associates by phone.

His internal party opponents even in public statements express the certainty that Stefanos Kasselakis cannot win again. His allies MPs and executives are urging him to attend. The presence of Pavlos Polakis rings many “bells”, as both are largely addressed to the same audience: the “anti-Mitsotaki” current, with the former president of SYRIZA heavily invested in it.

Not a few see this adventure as an opportunity to follow a more solitary path. It is a difficult decision that must be combined with evidence, research, and even polls. If the “marquee” of SYRIZA leaves then things will be completely different.

Yesterday the program of Nikos Pappa’s visit to the Thessaloniki International Fair was decided. He will visit a health facility, meet with the management of Helexpo, tour the TIF stands, have a working meeting with the producers and on Sunday he will give the usual press conference.