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SYRIZA is trying on an autumn model of "fist" and a suit

29 July 2012 / 14:07:03  GRReporter
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Rigorous preparation in SYRIZA’s party offices on Koumoundourou Square is in full swing, as in the rest of the party's offices, for probably the hottest political autumn in recent years. The role of the largest opposition party SYRIZA has already placed it in the centre of the political scene, and under these conditions the "battles", which are expected at a parliamentary and social level, should be considered under a completely different angle.

In practice, Alexis Tsipras and his party have decided in advance that the first meetings of the Government with the supervisory Troika and the decisions at a European and world level, expected in late summer, are a continuation of a policy they take for an impasse.

In anticipation of the confirmation of their predictions about the imposition of new austerity measures, new cuts in wages and pensions and new tax burdens, SYRIZA is staking on its political rehabilitation.

Inside the party there is controversy regarding the events at a European level and their consequences for the country, SYRIZA's leadership, however, is almost unshakably confident: under the current conditions part of the citizens may look for an exit in the Left party, although at the same time, another part, though not that numerous, will inevitably turn to the far right and "Golden Dawn". SYRIZA's headquarters is seeing this probable scenario as a factor, which will shape the political and social climate. Based on this, the governing party members around leader Tsipras are trying to balance between the role of a tough opposition against the three-party government and the repelling of elements that until recently frightened many and repelled them to vote for SYRIZA.

Under the circumstances, key elements of the party's political tactics are, on the one hand, pressuring and trying to disparage the Democratic Left, and on the other, secret efforts are made SYRIZA to get as far as possible away from the accusations of attracting PASOK's state wing, its unionists and all that they symbolize.

Until all this happens, however, the headquarters of SYRIZA is trying to decipher the messages from Europe and to draw a political plan on their basis.

Fear of "failure"

What they fear in SYRIZA, too, is the "failure" that could lead the country outside the eurozone. As some of the more moderate party members admit, such an uncontrollable event could not be used politically by anyone and in any case it is not something SYRIZA is currently relying on.

At the same time, however, powers are starting to form, declaring categorically that "the Achilles heel of SYRIZA is its position toward the euro". They note that "in the name of a misunderstood "Europeanism" the party has limited itself in a position according to which "the only possible solution" is for Greece to remain in the eurozone, and exiting it is considered catastrophic".

The views mentioned may currently be expressed by a minority, but they are published on sites which deal with the problems of SYRIZA and its political positions.

However, the decision taken for the moment on the matter, is specific: Alexis Tsipras is not thinking of causing destabilization (he believes it will occur anyway), and at present he will not apply pressure to overthrow the government, for new elections, etc. Bearing this in mind, SYRIZA's headquarters believes that the game in Europe is now purely political, and whether Greece will ultimately remain in the eurozone and under what conditions, or if the country will exit it, depends on the outcome of this game.

The "flirt" with the Communist Party started at the Steelworks

Although within the party, in a theoretical plan, an attempt to reach internal agreement and formation of a uniform policy is seen, at the same time other moods are also appearing - for "flirting" with the Communist Party and other communist movements.

A reason for this was given by the "united front" during the strike in Steelworks SA, through which groups from SYRIZA's inside are trying to revive the debate about unification of the Left.

Material on the matter was published late last week on the site iskra.gr. It was signed by an "Observer", and largely expresses the positions of SYRIZA's deputy Panagiotis Lafazanis.

The text stresses that "the unifying struggle at Steelworks can be crowned with a victory, should the radical Left applies a unifying practice of solidarity and support for the workers", and further emphasizes: "And another thing: such a unifying tactic in support of workers can be the first step toward testing the possibilities for joint political actions on a broader base".

It is also clearly noted, in the form of a policy statement, that "currently an initiative for a more general cooperation of the broad radical Left is becoming absolutely necessary". It is also stressed that if the Left powers put prejudices aside, there may be a field for such a cooperation and it might be successfully sought.

An impression is also made by the statement according to which "even on the questions regarding the euro and the European Union, which seem to create irreconcilable contradictions, life itself and the negative events in the eurozone and the European Union reconcile them. Today, the need to offer and to defend a common left progressive path with a socialist perspective, which will not limit itself either to the euro, or to the European Union, nor will it be confined to their rules, may become a space for the unification of the whole Left "!

Tags: SYRIZA Alexis Tsipras balancing Left unification
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