Giorgos Katrougalos, SYRIZA MP, high-ranking part official and former Foreign Minister in Tsipras government, announced his withdrawal from the upcoming elections on May 21.
60-year-old Katrougalos who is also a jurist and professor for public law, announced his withdrawal on Thursday after stating that social contributions for self-employed may go up to 20% in a future SYRIZA government.
His statements met strong reactions not only by New Democracy but also from his own part that vehemently denied such plans, saying it’s is Katrougalos personal opinion.
It is clear that the party put pressure on him to resign from the elections race, as left-wing SYRIZA wouldn’t want to mess up with potential voters.
It is recalled that as Minister of Labor and Social Issues passed a law under the pressure of Greece’s international lenders and the 3rd bailout that changed the provision for pensioners, thus decreasing the amount they would receive.
“I fully assume the political responsibility for my statement yesterday and I announce that I am withdrawing from the election”, Katrougalos announced on social media.
He added that “I made it clear this morning that I was speaking on personal grounds and not on behalf of SYRIZA’s electoral mandate.”
Katrougalos was a candidate for the North Section of Athens and the ballots have been printed and already sent to polling stations.
Even if he gets votes and becomes elected, he is expected to resign after he takes an MP oath.
Just for the case, though, he will receive a high number of votes, it will be certainly a difficult dilemma for SYRIZA to deal with the issue.
However, as it is highly speculated that elections on Sunday will not result in a winner with necessary percentage to form a government, in the second round of elections, Katrougalos name will be absent form SYRIZA ballots – or not, depending on the agenda of the 2nd elections round….
