The… bench is full for Tsipras, and he’s now looking for transfers from the rosters of Famellos, Kasselakis, and even Androulakis.
Olympiacos got everything— Panathinaikos got Obradović, the World Cup is underway, and that’s more or less how the political transfer window opens. At the center of these developments is the new team that Alexis Tsipras is putting together. The former prime minister wants to present himself flanked by a team of young and untested faces, which is why he chose individuals with no significant political background for his first “starting five”. The problem is that the… bench is empty, and now he has to look to the roster of Famellos, Kasselakis, and even Androulakis.
According to information from “Gatos,” President Alexis has called on everyone, regardless of their background, to schedule meetings and bring him ideas. Anyone who approaches him—especially those from PASOK, without having been associated with anything negative in the past, immediately rises in his estimation.
In fact, a special list has been compiled of individuals who have distanced themselves from the party in recent years and are now considered untainted. Similarly, it is seeking collaborators among former ministers of SYRIZA, such as the new spokesperson, so that he can bring the old guard in through the… back door.
The question that remains to be answered is who will be on the ELAS candidate lists and where they will be placed. Kostas Zachariadis, who stepped down from his position as spokesperson for the Koumoundourou headquarters, is considered a sure bet in the Northern Athens District. This was not a move intended to criticize Socrates Famellos, but rather “side steps” toward Alexis Tsipras’s inner circle. After all, several officials of his age are already siding with the former prime minister, such as Dionysis Temboneras.
Behind-the-scenes assessments suggest that Alexis Tsipras would like to include Rena Dourou in the new lineup, but the former regional governor of Attica has not yet revealed her intentions. She appears to be close to Pavlos Polakis and Nikos Pappas, but as for them, the “Red Cat” wouldn’t bet that they’ll stay on the same side until the very end.
The surprise of the weekend goes by the name of Gabriel Sakellaridis. It seems that the government spokesperson from the first term in office, before the referendum, is highly regarded in political circles, and many would like to see him take center stage. For now, of course, most see him as a formidable rival to Alexis Tsipras. That is, if ELAS does not turn out to be all that left-wing. In that case, the party elders would like to see a strong leader emerge.
All income and expenses are kept secret
Since we’re in the broader sphere of the Left, we have a question (ed. note: the usual stuff about our “Cat”): how much do the videos produced by its officials cost? We saw Koufonikolakou’s over-the-top video on wage increases, etc., and we also saw her deputy’s video on the state of healthcare—also over-the-top.
Outdoor shoots, shots here, shots there, shots below. Well, the “Red Cat” will never tire of saying it: since they’ve formed a party, their revenues and expenses must be audited. Simple stuff.
And since we want politics to generate at least a little interest, the “Red Cat” has an idea to throw on the table: let them hire someone to draft serious proposals for them, because so far all we’ve heard and read are generalities. Not everything in this country can be portrayed as bleak and hopeless. Seriously, don’t the nation’s new “saviors” take a look around them?
There are so many academics and researchers out there; let them secure an income for people with real knowledge—and not just for kids with cell phones in hand who simply shoot videos and edit them. Perhaps then, what they say will finally be based on real facts and not on rhetorical exaggerations and empty promises.
Anna on the counterattack
After the gaffe with her statements about Haris Doukas—who wants to join SYRIZA—and the possibility of cooperation with New Democracy that shouldn’t be ruled out (note from “Gatos”: a gaffe for her enemies), Anna Diamantopoulou is going on the counterattack. The former commissioner seems to have decided to speak her mind loudly from now on. Whether she agrees or disagrees. To establish a distinct profile and stand a chance of overtaking Pavlos Christidis, who is leading the charge in the Southern Athens Sector. You see, coming in first is important in politics.
Milena is on the move and… she’s catching up
In the Northern Sector of Athens, Milena Apostolak is running all over the place and never misses an opportunity to accompany Nikos Androulakis. It seems that the PASOK president has chosen her as someone he can work with.
Apparently, the angry leader believes that the experienced lawmaker has no leadership ambitions. If we were in his shoes, of course, we wouldn’t bet everything on that. It’s clear that she didn’t return to Parliament simply to submit questions and interpellations. Milena certainly has her own plan in mind, one that includes her role in the movement’s future. A day that, by all indications, is drawing near.
She chooses media outlets and journalists
These days, the staff of George Papandreou are reviewing and studying the interview requests they have received. They are being careful because they want both the media outlet they choose and the journalist to be part of the message they plan to convey: that is, whether he decides to speak about going it alone or about cooperation among progressive forces. Especially if they decide to use the word… “coalition,” then it’s obvious that a solution that’s more “red” and less “green” will be favored.
