Stefanos Kasselakis Leaves Syriza, Forms New Movement

Stefanos Kasselakis has officially left Greece's left-wing Syriza party, which he had led since September 2023, following a party congress that barred him from seeking re-election. His departure, along with at least four other MPs, reduces Syriza's parliamentary representation to 31, equaling that of the center-left PASOK party, thereby threatening Syriza's status as the main opposition party. Kasselakis, who garnered attention for his confrontational style and social media presence, faced criticism from former supporters for not being a true leftist. He has since announced the formation of a new political movement aimed at democracy and progress, inviting public participation in naming the party. This split comes after a period of turmoil for Syriza, which has seen its popularity plummet following significant electoral defeats. Kasselakis's departure marks a significant shift in the Greek political landscape, as he seeks to establish a new identity separate from Syriza's troubled legacy.