The resignation of Katerina Notopoulou has confirmed what has been widely discussed for quite some time — that SYRIZA MPs are now counting down to their departure from the party’s Koumoundourou headquarters. The former MP for Thessaloniki A’ informed party leader Socrates Famellos in a phone call that she had made this decision because the overall situation within the party had become toxic, with no signs that anyone could easily break free from this climate.
What Katerina Notopoulou said about her decision to resign from SYRIZA
She described her decision as “deeply personal and difficult, but above all political,” stressing that she no longer believes her continued presence in SYRIZA can serve her political principles. “My staying in SYRIZA no longer serves either my political convictions or the country’s genuine need for a political way forward,” she stated pointedly.
Notopoulou then reached out to her supporters in Thessaloniki to inform them of her move. When asked whether she would join Tsipras’ party, she spoke of a continuous erosion of SYRIZA’s standing since the 2023 elections, noting: “A great deal has changed since the last elections in 2023, and allow me to highlight some critical moments. After the second elections, Alexis Tsipras — the man who led SYRIZA to government and steered the country out of the bailout memoranda — resigned. His defeat at the polls and subsequent resignation did not lead the party into a process of reflection, deliberation, or genuine political dialogue, as I had early on observed it should. Instead, we were pushed into a merely procedural election of a new leader. Following Kasselakis’ election came the split of SYRIZA and an unprecedented and dramatic period for the entire political system — and especially for our party. His removal was followed by yet another formal electoral process, which resulted in the election of Socrates Famellos — and, as was to be expected, the party’s decline continued, as always happens when politics and substance take a back seat.”
Giannis Amanatidis is expected to take over Notopoulou’s parliamentary seat.
The critical SYRIZA Central Committee session and the resignations to come
According to sources, yet another resignation — this time from a regional MP — is expected either this Friday or at the latest by Monday, with all signs pointing to further departures in the immediate weeks ahead.
Most MPs are waiting to see what will unfold at Saturday’s Central Committee meeting, though all indications suggest that no dramatic shift will come from the party leader’s side. Notably, all members will be hearing Famellos’ proposal to the Central Committee for the first time, as the Political Secretariat has not been convened ahead of the session.
Minority faction divided — Polakis pushes for return to parliamentary group as Pappas and Dourou soften their stance toward Famellos
Meanwhile, figures within the party’s minority faction appear divided at this critical juncture. Pavlos Polakis is reportedly pushing for his return to SYRIZA’s parliamentary group in order to mount a bid for the party leadership, while Nikos Pappas and Rena Dourou are adopting a more conciliatory approach — operating on the logic that openly challenging Famellos would only consolidate support around the incumbent leader’s camp.
According to sources, Pappas and Dourou have communicated this view to the MP from Chania, who, however, shows no signs of backing down for now.
Tryfonas Alexiadis: Allegations over the SYRIZA Central Committee
On Wednesday, Polakis’ close associate Tryfonas Alexiadis published a post on social media making public his written request for access to the membership data of Central Committee participants ahead of the crucial session scheduled for this coming Saturday (July 11). The Central Committee member, addressing both the party leader and the deputy secretary, alleged a lack of transparency regarding the committee’s composition, warning that there must be no suspicion that “the future of SYRIZA was decided upon by members who had already resigned or by others who now belong to a different party, acting in an organized fashion.”
In response to Alexiadis’ statements, deputy party secretary Anastasia Sapouna clarified that she had informed those concerned that the updated composition of the Central Committee — including substitute members — would be made public on Friday via the party’s official website, syriza.gr. Sapouna explained that substitutions are processed automatically by the responsible staff member, in accordance with the guidelines of the Central Electoral Committee, and that no political intervention is possible in that process. On the matter of financial data, she noted that the 2025 balance sheet is already posted on the party’s website and that the relevant parliamentary committee has recently completed its audit. As for the 2026 budget, she indicated that it has already been discussed within the party’s governing bodies and is available to members of the Political Secretariat.
Pavlos Polakis also weighed in on the issue, writing in a post: “I am sharing two of today’s posts by comrade Tryfonas Alexiadis, which SHOW: the outrageous attempt by Famellos’ leadership team to conceal the vote-count data from the Central Committee elections — in order to prevent any credible verification of the committee’s legitimacy following the wave of resignations! The bottom of the downward spiral is the floor!! SUCH MANIPULATIONS WILL NOT STAND!!!”
