Greece: the return of Alexis Tsipras in a fragmented political landscape

The former European figure of the radical left, the Greek Alexis Tsipras, is attempting a risky return to a fragmented political scene, hoping to take advantage of the scandals which are plaguing the conservative government in the run-up to the elections scheduled for next year.

After three years of withdrawal from the political spotlight, the former Prime Minister (2015-2019) announced on Tuesday the launch of a political party, the Alliance of the Greek Left (ELAS).

This new formation, which he presented as “a compass for a new Greece”, brings together “the radical left, social democracy and political ecology”.

The objective is clear: after nearly seven years of right-wing rule by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Greece needs “a great democratic and social overhaul”.

We must “put an end to the authoritarianism and corruption which are the hallmark of the current government,” he insisted.

-Déloger Mitsotakis-

The objective of the man who, in 2015, was engaged in a standoff with the creditors of a Greece on the verge of financial asphyxiation, is to “try to present himself as the force capable of dislodging Mitsotakis”, judge to AFP Antonis Papargiris, director of research from the GPO polling institute.

He “wants to secure second place and the role of leader of the opposition” at the end of the legislative elections scheduled for 2027, he continues.

But in his sights are mainly the elections “after 2030 when he will really try to seek power”, according to Mr. Papargiris.

According to recent polls, up to 18% of those questioned say they are ready to support a party he would lead, which could place him in second position.

Defeated by Mr. Mitsotakis’ conservative party, New Democracy (ND), in 2023, Alexis Tsipras wants to take advantage of the attrition of power which is winning over the head of government.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis wants to run for a third term and despite a sharp decline in voting intentions, his party remains in the lead.

The legislative elections must be held in the spring of 2027 but could, according to several media, be brought forward to the fall, with Mr. Mitsotakis thus seeking to catch his political adversaries by surprise.

The high cost of living in a country where salaries are among the lowest in the EU and a series of scandals have tarnished the government’s popularity.

“The State has fallen into the hands of a caste which considers it as spoils,” criticized Mr. Tsipras.

The government is shaken by a resounding case of misappropriation of agricultural subsidies from the European Union which has already cost three ministers their jobs, as well as by a scandal of illegal telephone tapping.

– procrastination –

The delays and delays of justice in its investigation into the causes of the deadly train collision of February 2023 also fueled the anger of the Greeks.

Nearly 80% of Greeks believe that laws are only applied “selectively” in a country plagued by clientelism and nepotism, according to an Alco survey carried out in May.

The name of Alexis Tsipras’ new party immediately aroused criticism. ELAS is in fact the acronym for the Greek police and the name of the communist resistance army which fought the Nazis during the Second World War.

Some former allies criticize this former communist youth for his broad refocusing.

“I think that Alexis Tsipras considers that the history of the left is over for him,” his former Finance Minister, Euclid Tsakalotos, recently quipped on the Action24 channel.

This launch, cleverly staged with a speech in the historic center of Athens, with the illuminated Parthenon in the background, comes less than a week after the birth of another political party, by the mother of a victim of the 2023 train disaster, Maria Karystianou.

The political landscape in Greece appears increasingly fragmented with already eight parties represented in Parliament, a figure which could further increase after the next election.

Former conservative Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, a long-time critic of Mr. Mitsotakis, is also strongly expected to launch an offensive, many observers assure.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis also joked about this “real (tower of) political Babel whose only common denominator is the permanent attack against the government”.