DIMAR officially rules out coalition return
Former coalition partner Democratic Left (DIMAR) on Thursday denied speculation that it is considering a return to Greece’s power-sharing administration.
New Democracy MP Dora Bakoyannis on Wednesday suggested that Prime Minister Antonis Samaras should invite DIMAR back into the coalition. The pro-reform socialist party left the alliance in June after disagreements that culminated in the shutdown of state broadcaster ERT.
Speaking to Mega TV on Thursday, DIMAR’s parliamentary spokesman Nikos Tsoukalis said that the reasons that prompted the party’s exit still hold. He added that Bakoyannis’s recommendation was aimed at Samaras, not DIMAR.
Several high-ranking DIMAR cadres, including Dimitris Hatzisokratis and Theodoros Margaritis, have over the past few days suggested that the SYRIZA splinter party could once more throw its weight behind the coalition, provided there is agreement on a number of key policy areas.
In comments made to Skai, party secretary Spyros Lykoudis also hinted at a possible return. “DIMAR must hold positions of responsibility,” said Lykoudis who in June objected to the party’s decision to defect from the conservative-led coalition.
An opinion poll published on Thursday put DIMAR on 3 percent, which is the minimum requirement for entering Parliament. The Pulse RC survey for the weekly To Pontiki newspaper showed SYRIZA enjoying a tissue-thin lead over New Democracy.
