SYRIZA threatens to keep outspoken MP Polakis from upcoming elex ballots

A latest “flare-up” in increasingly strained relations between main opposition SYRIZA’s leadership and the party’s outspoken MP Pavlos Polakis erupted over the weekend, after the latter posted a Tweet vilifying a group of well-known television presenters in the country, along with top justices, a tax bureau director and bank executives.

In a statement hours after the post, the leftist party essentially threatened to leave Polakis off ballots in a coming general election.

The former deputy health minister, who is elected from Hania prefecture in Crete, is among the most divisive, brusque and combative lawmakers in the country.

“SYRIZA has a program and policy that have been approved at its (party) congress. We also have principles of operation, ones characterized by democracy and collectiveness, and which foresee the defense of, and not the undermining of its policy from its own member, and more so by leadership cadres,” was the quote circulated to local media by “circles” close to the main opposition.

The same – unofficial – statement continued along the lines of “…whoever believes they can determine their own policy, or decide on ballots and impose a personal agenda … with constant postings … have obviously and conscientiously decided to place themselves outside the election battle.”