The leader of SYRIZA Alexis Tsipras is trying to overcome the internal conflict in his party regarding Greece’s position in Europe and the Eurozone, by preparing for his trip to Madrid for the conference of the Party of the European Left, where he will formally be anointed as candidate for the presidency of the European Commission after the European Parliament elections in May.
Mr. Tsipras will have a series of meetings with MEPs on Wednesday in Strasbourg, where he will discuss and review the role and effectiveness of the troika in countries which have received bailout assistance. The leader of the opposition is expected to challenge the legitimacy of the troika and demand that those responsible for Greece’s entanglement in the bailout be brought before the committee to answer for their actions.
On Thursday the SYRIZA leader is scheduled to meet with Olli Rehn at noon, to discuss the Greek program and the budget which the Samaras government voted upon without the troika’s approval. This meeting will be interesting as to whether Mr. Tsipras will persist on his rhetoric of remaining within the Eurozone, especially for a number of SYRIZA officers who remain skeptical.
Following his meetings in Strasbourg, Mr. Tsipras will head to Madrid for the Party of the European Left, which will take place on the 13th and 14th of December. Mr. Tsipras is expected to be the European Left’s candidate for the top spot in the European Commission.
