Efi Achtsioglou spoke of a deep strategic rift with the leadership of the New Left as she described the reasons for her resignation, leaving open the possibility of joining forces with Tsipras’s new party, though without ruling anything out.
Speaking to ERTnews and the program “Ten with a Tone,” a few days after her resignation from the New Left and the surrender of her parliamentary seat, she said that the party leadership had opted for a “logic of consolidation” and preservation of its political identity, while she, along with approximately 150 party officials and six MPs, believed that the current situation called for broader alliances.
“We left because there was a strategic disagreement over what needs to be done in the country,” she noted, emphasizing that her side believed that political change against New Democracy could only come about through a rallying of forces. She also emphasized that this disagreement “had existed for over a year” and could not be swept “under the rug.”
Regarding her decision to give up her seat, Achitsoglou spoke of moral and political responsibility, as well as her inability to function as an independent MP without a political party to represent her. “It has nothing to do with Tsipras’s party,” she clarified, responding to those who believe her resignation paves the way for a move.
Referring to the New Left, she acknowledged that the party had failed to convince the public, but insisted that the reason for her departure was the abandonment of the original strategy. Addressing inflation, protecting incomes, and defending the rule of law in the face of scandals such as wiretapping, the Tempi incident, and OPEKEPE.
Regarding SYRIZA, which she described as “facing a very difficult equation,” she noted that the existence of Tsipras’s new party is creating conflicting tendencies within it. She assessed that if she herself had been elected president, “seriousness and cohesion could have been maintained,” but stressed that this is now a thing of the past.
Regarding the possibility of joining forces with Alexis Tsipras’s Coalition, Achitsoglou appeared open but not committed. She noted that the new party appears to be moving toward a change in government and a “governing Left,” but stressed that “it is still early” and that nothing is a foregone conclusion.
According to her, the critical issue today is the programmatic confrontation with New Democracy and the creation of a strong center of power that will seek real political change. “It’s not enough to just take notes. Citizens want change,” she said emphatically.