With the approval of the presidium, the work of the SYRIZA extraordinary congress began with a long delay.

The presidium was approved by acclamation by the delegates inside the center hall. Yiannis Mantzouranis was appointed president of the conference.

Starting his speech, Mr. Mantzouranis, apologized to the members for the delay, which he attributed to the gathering and the obstruction of the conference by the supporters of Stefanos Kasselakis. Then, in a tense atmosphere – as several delegates applauded him and others booed him – he said that the procedures democratically decided at the Central Committee meetings were being followed.

Mr. Manzouranis said that the delegates will be 4,282 and added that according to the party’s Statute, the extraordinary congress has all the responsibilities of the regular one. He reminded that the Central Committee that made the decisions was elected by the base of the party on the same day that Alexis Tsipras was previously elected.

He also mentioned that the conference is hybrid, so they will also participate by digital means and added that the voting will be done electronically.

He underlined that the congress has the task of approving the four nominations for the presidency and making a political decision.

It is noted that supporters of Stefanos Kasselakis disapproved by shouting: “Shame, you have put the people in the other room. The others are outside. You are not leftists and democrats.”

The tension continued when the secretary of the Conference, Rania Sviggou, took the floor, as indignant executives close to the Kasselakis side, continuously disapproved.