Stefanos Kasselakis Ousted as SYRIZA Leader

Stefanos Kasselakis has been removed as leader of Greece's SYRIZA party following a no-confidence vote by the Political Secretariat, with a decisive 17-1-1 majority, leading to controversy and division within the party. His ousting comes after a tumultuous 11 months in which he faced criticism for perceived right-wing populism and a lack of ideological alignment, culminating in the formation of a splinter group called the New Left. Kasselakis contested the decision, claiming it undermined the democratic will of the party's 136,000 members and described the move as an act of provocation against his leadership. His removal raises concerns regarding the party's future direction and administration, as highlighted by dissenting voices within SYRIZA who fear a power vacuum. Amidst the upheaval, reports indicate that Kasselakis is contemplating his political future, possibly stepping away due to pressure from family and supporters. The next steps for SYRIZA may involve an extraordinary congress to elect a new president or other internal restructuring as the party navigates these challenges.