Greece’s radical left in turmoil leadership struggles, internal rifts
Greece’s main opposition party SYRIZA grapples with discord under new leader Kasselakis
The Coalition of the Radical Left in Greece, popularly known as SYRIZA, grapples with internal discord as party leader Stefanos Kasselakis’s leadership style fuels divisions within the ranks.
Kasselakis took the helm only five months ago but faces significant challenges as he steers the main opposition party in Greece through political turbulence.
Kasselakis was elected in September 2023, and he is a 35-year-old former Goldman Sachs trader.
In addition, he is Greece’s first openly gay party leader, representing a stark departure from traditional left-wing politics.
His ascendancy to the party leadership has not been without controversy.
His rise to power marked by the defeat of Effie Achtsioglou, a former labor minister and close ally of former Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, was seen as a shock to the party establishment.
Kasselakis’s tenure has been characterized by a direct approach to addressing the public, bypassing the party’s traditional structures and committees.
This style led to a rift within SYRIZA, as shown by the departure of 11 lawmakers, including Achtsioglou, who formed ‘New Left’ in November.
Tensions climaxed at SYRIZA’s four-day party convention at the Faliro Sports Pavilion Arena near Athens this Saturday.
The convention was marred by animosity and division, culminating in a decision against a leadership vote.
Former minister Olga Gerovasili stood as a potential challenger to Kasselakis, expressing concerns over the party’s direction and advocating for unity, but a vote was ultimately not pursued.
Former party leader Tsipras, who resigned after a disappointing performance in the 2023 parliamentary elections, intervened before the convention, urging a vote of confidence in Kasselakis’s leadership.
Tsipras highlighted a deep crisis within the party, marked by egoism and a departure from collective principles.
Despite the turmoil, SYRIZA remains the largest opposition party in the Greek parliament, with reduced representation, down from 47 to 36 lawmakers.
Recent opinion polls indicate a challenging road ahead for the party, with SYRIZA potentially facing a significant defeat in the upcoming European elections.
Source: Newsroom
