Kasselakis condemns provocations as SYRIZA faces leadership crisis
Former SYRIZA leader Stefanos Kasselakis took to social media late on Thursday to condemn “unbelievable provocations – from fake dialogues to fake invitations.”
Kasselakis’ post was published on social media during an emergency meeting of the party’s political secretariat and as a small group of people gathered outside SYRIZA headquarters to protest against his removal.
He urged his supporters not to organize protest rallies or disrupt SYRIZA leader Nikos Pappas’ upcoming visit to the Thessaloniki International Fair at the weekend.
“In the face of this derailment, calm, patience and restraint are our strength. Turn your anger into creativity. I’m here,” he said.
On Sunday, Kasselakis lost a no-confidence vote in the party’s central committee by 163 votes to 120, deepening the turmoil that has plagued the party since its resounding electoral defeat last year. All of his close aides, including the party spokesman and his press team, resigned.
SYRIZA’s political secretariat is holding an extraordinary meeting to clarify Kasselakis’ role after the vote.
Party sources indicate that following the no-confidence vote, administrative and legal responsibilities will be assumed by party leader Christos Mavrokefalidis, while political matters will be overseen by the political secretariat.
Kasselakis’ team argued that he should remain leader until SYRIZA’s congress in November.