Polakis: ‘lies and inaccuracies’

Pavlos Polakis reacted bluntly on social media, accusing the former prime minister of ‘lies and inaccuracies’ and promising a formal response once he has read the book in full. Speaking to SKAI’s Gavdos 88.8, Mr Polakis said he had ordered a copy and based his initial reaction on press excerpts. He rejected Mr Tsipras’s account of decisions over February 2023 candidacies and rejected an allegation of personal selfishness over candidate selections as ‘a reversal of reality’ and ‘outright lying’.

Konstantopoulou: ‘I made it difficult for a traitor to betray’

Zoe Konstantopoulou, repeatedly referenced in the memoir, responded from the parliamentary floor. Mr Tsipras describes her as emblematic of a brand of ‘narcissistic’ intransigence and says he came to regret proposing her as speaker. Addressing the chamber, Ms Konstantopoulou, without naming Mr Tsipras, said she was ‘honoured’ that someone she called a ‘traitor’ would admit she ‘made it difficult for him to carry out his betrayal’, framing her stance during the 2015 crisis as principled resistance.

Mixed responses from former colleagues

Other former Syriza figures reacted with varying degrees of displeasure. Nikos Pappas acknowledged published excerpts showing ‘frivolity’ and mistakes relating to his inclusion on Syriza ballots but said ‘the glass has not broken’, signalling a mixture of irritation and restraint. Panos Skourletis, meanwhile, described his own choice for party secretary as ‘a mistake’, accusing Mr Tsipras of failing to confront the party’s 2023 electoral defeat honestly.

Opponents seize on arrogance and lack of contrition

Across the political divide critics were quicker to condemn. New Democracy figures Pavlos Marinakis and Adonis Georgiadis accused Mr Tsipras of ‘arrogance and lack of apology’. Dora Bakoyannis suggested that Mr Tsipras’s new political project would become a significant force in the country’s political landscape.

Context and reactions

The memoir’s publication has filled bookshops nationwide and reopened old disputes from the Syriza years. Mr Tsipras’s account, which includes internal reflections on leadership succession and sharp character judgements of former colleagues, appears to be read by critics as signalling a possible political recalibration ahead.

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