With the negotiations in Europe reaching a critical point and the Greek government aggressively being criticized for its tactics and intentions, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has arranged a series of meetings aimed at addressing domestic affairs.
While there were calls earlier on Monday, urging President Pavlopoulos to call a meeting with the political leaders, however PM Tsipras decided to arrange separate meetings with the leader of the River Stavros Theodorakis, the newly-elected president of PASOK Fofi Gennimata and New Democracy MP Dora Bakoyanni.
Although the meetings with Mr. Theodorakis and Mrs. Gennimata are not unexpected, the meeting with Mrs. Bakoyanni is surprising. Given that Mrs. Bakoyanni has openly disputed ND President Antonis Samaras’ leadership, it has been suggested that the meeting aims at creating tension in the main opposition party.
There are also reactions within the ranks of SYRIZA, as Mrs. Bakoyanni has clashed with senior party officers, such as Nikos Filis, over her recent claims regarding the imposition of capital controls. The three have all expressed their support of an agreement with the institutions, with Mrs. Gennimata announcing on Monday, shortly after being elected President, that «the negotiations are a national affair«.
