SYRIZA, the leading party of the opposition in parliament, held a meeting over the weekend in order to decide upon the list of candidates it will support in the upcoming European elections. While the party’s central committee approved the proclamation for the elections, the Left Platform threw a white vote, after its proposal for an amendment of an exit plan from the euro was rejected.

The Left Platform has consistently argued that Greece abandoning the euro would not be as catastrophic a choice as presented, despite the difficulties at first. Many party members estimated that the insistence on preparing for an exit from the euro is part of Left Platform’s plan to assert its presence within the party, since the official party line is for Greece to stick with the euro.

Additionally, there were major disagreements over 30 candidates for the upcoming European elections, with the approval process expected to conclude on Wednesday. The Left Platform expressed its reservation over non-party candidates, particularly that of MEP Kriton Arsenis, due to his close relation with former PM and PASOK leader Giorgos Papandreou. Objections were also raised over various academics and economists.

Party leader Alexis Tsipras spoke before the Central Committee on Sunday and stressed that while SYRIZA will defeat New Democracy in the upcoming elections, his party members must convince the people that they “are ready and determined to win”.