"We disproved those who predicted a congress of discord and battles. It was a congress of democracy and synthesis. That is what the Left is", emphasised the SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance leader Sokratis Famellos, during his closing remarks at the party’s 5th Congress on Sunday.
As he stated, SYRIZA-PA took very significant steps at this congress and sent the message that it stands "upright" and aims for a"“progressive reversal."
Referring to current international developments, he stressed the need for the country’s political leadership, as well as that of the EU, to take a peace initiative and call for a ceasefire, along with sanctions against Israel. He condemned the "friendly phone calls" between Mitsotakis and Netanyahu. In this context, he expressed SYRIZA's opposition to a Europe of "militarisation, oligopolies, and lack of transparency," sounding the alarm bell about the policies of both the EU and the Greek government.
Continuing his criticism of the government, he spoke of "the dead ends of an unjust, neoliberal policy," as "inequality, injustice, and poverty feed fascism and the far-right. The result is that Greece suffers defeats in foreign policy while the people suffer defeats in their daily lives," he said pointedly, condemning the "politics of oligarchy supported by Mitsotakis and von der Leyen" and emphasising the need for political change.
Specifically, he noted that, in contrast to the government's policies that deepen inequality, SYRIZA has "a political plan and well-documented proposals" aimed at "challenging the elites and defending the rights of Greek citizens." As a "central proposal" to reverse inequality, he cited "breaking up the cartels that steal the people’s hard-earned income," while also stressing the need for "another major reform—a serious, modern, strong state to protect public goods and safeguard labour."
Concluding, Famellos called for "extroversion" and the planning of actions, particularly at the local level. "The 5th Congress marks the beginning of a new chapter to move forward united, strong, proud, combative, with meaningful struggles and with a major social success—the success of a progressive way out and a political transformation".