Referring to the path of both PASOK and SYRIZA in his written greeting for the book by Antonis Kotsakas and Haris Tsiokas, Alexis Tsipras criticized Stefanos Kasselakis, without however naming him.

In particular, the former prime minister characteristically mentioned that “an interesting historical journey, in low tones, that records the pluses and minuses of both PASOK and SYRIZA. Useful for those who are not left today in metapolitics, in the worship of the image, in the empty shirt of a communication that ostentatiously ignores the essence. And unfortunately it has penetrated the camp of progress as well.”

“I have no intention, I don’t even know if I have the ability, for a thorough assessment of the fifty-year journey that is the subject of the book. I can refer, however, by reading it, but also by coding my own experiences and the experiences of SYRIZA, to some thoughts, which may have some significance,” said Mr. Tsipras.

“The first is that PASOK, as well as SYRIZA, attempted a “raid in the sky”, which no matter how one judges its result, left a deep imprint both on the course of the country and on the consciences” adds the former prime minister to his written greeting.

The greeting of Alexis Tsipras:

I am very afraid that in difficult, dangerous, even dark times for Greece and the world, such as today, we have a surplus of questions and a shortage of answers.

Unfortunately, there are no easy answers and this mainly concerns the Left and the parties of the progressive arc.

Obviously, the values ​​that drive progress remain relevant, but turning them into a social asset, a material force, and ultimately a daily practice requires much more than will and determination.

I have never been, and I am not today, a devotee of the disappointment and withdrawal caused by the difficult reality and unanswered questions. On the contrary, I always believe in the thought of Romain Rolland, adopted and made famous by Gramsci: In the pessimism of the intellect and the optimism of the will.

And this is, at least in my reading, the line that runs through the book by Antonis Kotsakas and Haris Tsiokas.

An interesting historical journey, in low tones, that records the pluses and minuses of both PASOK and SYRIZA. Useful for those who are not left today in metapolitics, in the worship of the image, in the empty shirt of a communication that ostentatiously ignores the essence. And unfortunately it has also infiltrated the camp of progress.

There is no doubt that answers for tomorrow cannot be given without the study and knowledge of yesterday. And this particular book is a contribution exactly in this direction.

And it can become for all of us an occasion for a self-critical look at the past, which will help the future. With the composure that time alone gives.

And always with the mood, the optimism of the will, to equip ourselves with the knowledge and modern tools to be able to change what appears and is advertised with obvious purposefulness as an immutable and eternal reality.

I have no intention, I don’t even know if I have the ability, for a thorough assessment of the fifty-year journey that is the subject of the book. I can refer, however, by reading it, but also by coding my own experiences and the experiences of SYRIZA, to some thoughts, which may have some significance.

The first is that PASOK, as well as SYRIZA, attempted a “raid in the sky”, which, no matter how one judges its result, left a deep imprint both on the course of the country and on consciences.

And it is not at all accidental that the elites who empower the country try to rewrite history. To alter even the historical memory. And they have the know-how, if we judge from how in other times they did much worse, transforming the supporters of the occupation into nationalists and the resistance fighters into traitors.

The second is that no good intention, no good program, is enough, if we do not have the clear vision to correctly read the associations and dispositions of society. Because in politics it is always serious what you say, but even more serious who listens to it.

And the third is that in a country with a tradition not only of popular struggles, but also of a close connection between the statist elite and the conservative Right, which leads to all kinds of anti-democratic practices and deviations, the progressive forces must carefully measure their every step. Not to compromise their goals, but to be able, combining determination with prudence, to put their own commitments into practice.

With these thoughts in mind, I would like to wish Haris and Antonis’ book a good journey and more optimistic days that will meet us.