SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras lashed out against New Democracy and his critics at his party’s weekend panhellenic conference ahead of September’s snap election. Mr. Tsipras told party officers and supporters that “we will continue fighting with the same vigor so as not to allow the old regime to return”, while underlining that “we have a duty to protect the country”.

According to Mr. Tsipras the old political system now presents itself as a centrist party and argued that the DNA of New Democracy’s political ideology is “strictly authoritarian”. He also ruled out, once again, the possibility of forming a coalition with any parties from the old political system.

During his speech, Mr. Tsipras addressed the recent departures of “important, remarkable people” from his party, which he argued was an “unpleasant event” and tried to galvanize support, stressing that enough is enough with the superstar attitudes, that is was time to promote honest and worthy people in the fight for the country and society.

The deadline for submitting the lists of candidates is on the 6th of September, however SYRIZA’s central committee is scheduled to convene before that, in order to decide upon the party program. With the ballot lists still being planned, rumors suggest that Lakis Lazopoulos, Laokratis Vassis and Yannis Theonas are being considered.