State Minister Pappas rules out post-election coalition with ND, Potami, PASOK

“If this possibility existed, there would be no need to resort to elections,” he was quoted as saying, while adding that the party will probably form a coalition with the Independent Greeks (ANEL), with whom cooperation was “constructive”, even if SYRIZA achieves an absolute majority.

Commenting on the upcoming elections, he said “the stakes, given the agreement with Greece’s lenders, are which government would implement measures to protect society and keep it on its feet.”

Pappas maintained that the agreement signed with the country’s lenders is the result of blackmail, noting that the “this is a coup” was not just an online slogan. He said the result of last months’ referendum was correct and that the ‘No’ vote was not a ‘Yes’ to the drachma.

The minister also criticized the MPs which defected to the Left Platform of “siding with the Schaeuble plan and other extreme European forces for a return to the drachma, in agreement with the partners, ie the memorandum.”

Pappas also left open the possibility of including in SYRIZA’s ticket the party lawmakers who voted “present” in the crucial parliamentary votes. “Considering the agreement, there is place for those who want to plan the new program of the left-wing government and to continue united the battle of the negotiation.”