New Left Secretary Blames Tsipras's New Party for Parliamentary Group Split

The secretary of Greece's New Left party, Gavriil Sakellaridis, has expressed profound sorrow following the departure of seven MPs, an act that has led to the dissolution of the party's parliamentary group. Sakellaridis acknowledged that this development was not entirely unexpected but conveyed deep political and personal disappointment.

“

The parliamentary group of the New Left did important work in Parliament over the last 2.5 years and with its interventions all this time proved that the New Left had strong added value: war, military equipment, high prices, energy crisis, rule of law, wiretapping, OPEKEPE, democracy, mining of fossil fuels and many others.

In a letter addressed to party members, Sakellaridis highlighted the significant contributions of the New Left's parliamentary group over the last 2.5 years. He cited their interventions on critical issues such as war, military procurements, cost of living, the energy crisis, the rule of law, wiretapping, the Common Agricultural Policy (OPEKEPE), democracy, and the extraction of fossil fuels. He lamented the loss of this parliamentary capacity to oppose government policy, especially as there were no disagreements on political positions or program.

Sakellaridis identified internal disagreements concerning alliances and electoral strategy as factors contributing to the split. These issues were openly discussed during the pre-congress dialogue leading up to the party's congress in late January, intended to ensure all members were aware of differing views before a democratic decision was made. He noted that the tradition within the renewed Left parties involved active internal dialogue, coexistence of majority and minority viewpoints, and a collaborative approach to decision-making.

“

Disagreements, of course, existed within the New Left and they concerned alliances and electoral strategy.

However, Sakellaridis pointed to the establishment of Alexis Tsipras's new party, EL.AS., as the clear catalyst for the recent events within the New Left. "As is now clear, the fuse for the developments within the New Left is related to the founding of EL.AS. by Al. Tsipras," he stated, adding that he would have expected those departing to publicly acknowledge this as the reason for their withdrawal. He concluded by sending a message of continuity for the New Left, predicting its reconstitution without resorting to "easy paths" or "magic wands."

“

As is now clear, the fuse for the developments within the New Left is related to the founding of EL.AS. by Al. Tsipras. This is something I would expect to hear publicly from the comrades who are leaving. Because let's face it, this is the reason for leaving.