Alexis Tsipras is trying to convince people that he has… experience and is fit to be prime minister, but this narrative isn’t resonating.
The polls may show ELAS in second place, but far behind the New Democracy –the ruling party recorded nearly double the score in the Interview poll–, but the former prime minister, former president of SYRIZA and (new) president of the (new)SYRIZA does not appear to be achieving his goal.
Who is he? To be considered a prime ministerial candidate and to go head-to-head with Kyriakos Mitsotakis in terms of suitability for prime minister by winning the trust of the citizens. Polls place him in second place—or, to be precise, third, trailing far behind the current prime minister—with significant gaps in support compared to the current prime minister.
In the Interview poll, when asked “Which political leader do you trust most to govern the country?” the prime minister leads with 32%, followed by “none” at 16.3%. Alexis Tsipras comes in second with 15.4%, followed by Nikos Androulakis with 10%.
In essence, the narrative that the Left knows what to do the second time around is not resonating with voters who look beyond SYRIZA and the other parties, even PASOK , which now occupies the same political space.
It appears that voters haven’t forgotten Alexis Tsipras’s previous term in office, and as they hear his officials—and Tsipras himself—revive the Thessaloniki Program, the illusions and the promises of easy money, they are keeping their distance and remain unconvinced. After all, memories are still fresh and the past actions are painful.
The Hellenic Police (ELAS) maintains that once the program is presented, the situation will change, hoping that the promises and a new “go all out” will work in the former prime minister’s favor.
On the other hand, every promise made and every benefit offered in a bidding war with other parties brings to mind the days when Alexis Tsipras tore up the memoranda with a single law and a single article, abolished the ENFIA property tax, introduced debt relief, and forgave loans—and this works against him.
