Everything happens in the car: makeup, calls, food
The gathering organized for Efi Achtsioglou at a home in the suburb of Agia Varvara, western Athens, is no more than 30 people. Those who have come have filled the seats on the sofas on the two opposite sides of the living room and in the rest of the room all the available chairs in the house have been set up in half circles. In the center there is a table – Achtsioglou is sitting there.
Her day would have started with a TV interview, but it was postponed. We arrive outside her house in the northern suburb of Halandri at around 10 a.m. – and she is late. She apologizes: “Pre-election time with a child,” she tells us, explaining that the hectic hours of the campaign do not easily combine with a toddler's schedule. She makes sure her days are not too busy in the morning and the evening and she tries to get home at noon to see her toddler son. She's not wearing any makeup. “Usually everything happens in the car,” she tells us. “Makeup, calls, food.” On the radio she listens to Sto Kokkino (a left-leaning radio station). It's in the favorites list. Before making any calls, she explains that in SYRIZA they have a regulatory framework that prohibits candidates from having their own political office. The campaign schedules – where each candidate will go – are drawn up by the party, with the exception of home gatherings.
Haidari Town Hall
While we are driving toward Haidari Town Hall, in West Attica, she is discussing the campaign leaflets – who will get them, where they will be distributed – and arranging an interview. “You're a star!” some people shout at her when she arrives. “Hello comrades! How are you? Good morning,” she replies. Like Michailidou, these are the words that Achtsioglou will use today more than any other. She hands out SYRIZA leaflets that read “Justice everywhere,” SYRIZA's official party slogan in these elections, and some smaller ones of her own. She greets everyone when she enters the town hall and chats with people. “How are things? What kind of labor contracts are you under?” she asks them. She already knows some of the people who have gathered. “I saw you at the farmer's market,” a woman tells her and Achtsioglou appears to recognize her: “It's you!” she replies happily, hugging her. But amid the desk-todesk handshakes, where people's reactions range from slight indifference to a warm welcome, there's one woman who argues with her. Achtsioglou remains calm, serious, approachable, friendly, and explains her and her party's positions on the issue discussed. “Do we have some water?” she asks her assistant as she leaves.
Next stop is a meeting of all the candidates running in the constituency with the mayor of Haidari, Vangelis Diniakos. Achtsioglou then visits the 2nd Police Station of Peristeri. The purpose of the visit is to speak with the domestic violence unit. She greets all the officers with: “Efi Achtsioglou from SYRIZA. I am very glad to meet you.” When she walks into the office, the first thing she notices is children's drawings taped to a wall. She asks the policemen present about the current situation and then talks to the police lieutenant, who informs her of incidents of domestic violence in the district.
After the meeting, she commutes to the law office she keeps in central Athens. She takes hazelnuts out of her bag for a quick snack (she's vegan) while she discusses pending issues of her daily schedule – interviews, phone calls for pre-election drinks etc – with her assistant. At 2.30 p.m. she goes to the gym for an hour, which she explains she tries to do twice a week, and then back home.
House gathering
The last order of the day is a gathering in a house in the district of Agia Varvara, at 6.30 p.m. She hugs the women who welcome her. “The candidate has come, let the candidate sit,” the hosts note happily. Achtsioglou quickly greets the attendees and soon takes her place at the center table. “The little one has a fever,” she tells Kathimerini with a concerned look. It is obvious that greeting is not her forte. Where she feels natural is when she explains SYRIZA's program. As soon as she begins talking, she transforms. She doesn't look at her notes, she's more dynamic than at any other time of the day.
While the hosts silently run up and down, filling coffee pots, asking the guests in hushed tones if they want sugar in their coffee, if there is enough cutlery, Achtsioglou discusses the price of gasoline, VAT, pension cuts and foreclosures. The audience listens to her in silence, most of them attentively. Someone is playing with his komboloi, a woman is taking pictures. After about 50 minutes the floor opens to the public, which consists of teachers, private sector employees and pensioners. Some start eating sweets, others go out on the balcony for a cigarette. Achtsioglou remains in her seat, answering numerous questions about the retirement age, the minimum wage.
“I wish you personal success,” one of the guests tells her at the end of the event, “And enjoy your baby!” She smiles. “Thank you very much,” she replies.