Kasselakis files leadership candidacy, via proxy
Ousted SYRIZA leader Stefanos Kasselakis did not file his candidacy for leadership of main opposition SYRIZA himself. Instead, someone else did it on his behalf, stoking more tension in the already bitterly divided party.
On Saturday, MP Theodora Tzakri, a staunch Kasselakis supporter, filed papers attesting Kasselakis’ sources of income, as required by party rules, and a statement of support from 87 SYRIZA members.
As Kasselakis’ ouster was prompted by the so-called “Group of 87,” augmented by many others who rallied to their views, the submission of the same number of signatures supporting Kasselakis was taken by some as a form of trolling.
Tensions were ratcheted up by Tzakri’s denouncing alleged moves to exclude Kasselakis supporters from the upcoming party congress and her declaration that no one can prevent Kasselakis’ “triumphal” re-election as leader in November.
Apostolos Gletsos, former mayor of Stylida in central Greece and a once immensely popular soap opera actor, also announced his candidacy on Saturday. He stated that he had gathered 32 signatures of support, exceeding the minimum requirement of 30.
