The political trajectory of Alexis Tsipras lately resembles more of an identity search rather than a structured plan for political return. On one hand, he attempts to appear as a moderate, renewed politician who can converse with the center and claim wider audiences. On the other hand, he chooses to bring back to the forefront the rhetoric of the 2015 Left, with references to squares, movements, and social conflict. Somewhere between these two images, however, the former prime minister seems to have lost his political orientation. And a major question arises: Why is he not filing a lawsuit against those accusing him of having taken bribes for the 2019 penal codes?
The rebranding that never became a complete political proposal
The strategy of expansion toward the center, which was proposed by his associates such as Nikos Marantzidis, was supposed to allow him to transcend the limits of the old SYRIZA and appear as a politician with broader appeal. However, the endeavor was not accompanied by a clear and convincing political content. Tsipras frequently appears with moderate references, avoiding major conflicts and specific commitments that could reconnect him with social strata experiencing hardship. A characteristic example is the issue of funds, red loans, and auctions. In a field that is directly related to the daily life of thousands of households and traditionally constitutes a privileged area of intervention for the Left, he has not submitted to this day a comprehensive, specific, and bold proposal. PASOK has a more leftist stance and is demanding a new Katselis law, so what does Tsipras propose?
Revolutionary gymnastics in Paris with a 1,800 euro Montblanc
And suddenly, Tsipras finds himself in Paris, alongside the unyielding followers of Jean-Luc Melanchon, attempting to project a completely different message. Youth, trade unions, demonstrators, social injustice, and resistance to neoliberal policies compose the setting of a return to the Left of mobilizations and squares. Only the image did not quite match the message. His presence in the French capital, photographs and selfies against the backdrop of the Eiffel Tower, as well as the notorious Montblanc bag worth approximately 1,800 euros, created a rather awkward combination. The image of a politician attempting to appear as an exponent of social struggles while simultaneously having the symbols of luxury consumption beside him is unconvincing.
Between two audiences without a clear message
Tsipras today appears to claim two different audiences without having decided what his main political reference point is. He wants centrists, but he has not convinced that he possesses a comprehensive governance plan. He wants antisystemics, but he has not proven that he is ready to clash with specific interests and assume the political cost. The return to the rhetoric of 2015 cannot by itself resurrect the political capital of that period. Nor, of course, can photographs from Paris substitute for a political proposal. It is no coincidence, however, that while the Left should be attracting executives and voters from SYRIZA, it is losing small groups to PASOK. This is precisely why we believe the battle for second place has not been decided. Tsipras is emitting erratic messages and appears to have failed to acquire a political identity.
Sotiris Pikoulas
sotirispikoulas@gmail.com
www.bankingnews.gr
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