Greece’s SYRIZA loses main opposition status after two lawmakers resign over leadership

Greece’s left-wing SYRIZA party lost its status as the main opposition on Thursday after two lawmakers resigned.

Theodora Tzakri and Giota Poulou, elected to the Greek parliament under the SYRIZA ticket in June 2023, announced their decision to leave the party and become independents, Greek public broadcaster ERT reported.

The lawmakers cited “undemocratic practices” and a “lack of vision” within the party leadership as their reasons for quitting.

Both lawmakers are expected to join a new center-left party, which is set to be launched soon by Stefanos Kasselakis.

With their departure, the social democratic PASOK party now holds the role of the main opposition, with 31 lawmakers in parliament.

SYRIZA won just over 20% of the vote and secured 47 seats in the June 2023 parliamentary elections.

Kasselakis, who was elected SYRIZA’s leader in September 2023 following a significant election defeat, has faced mounting internal challenges. In December 2023, 11 senior members of SYRIZA’s leftist faction broke away to form the New Left party.

In September, the party’s central committee ousted Kasselakis through a no-confidence vote. Earlier this month, he revealed plans to leave SYRIZA and form a new political party.