There has been constant movement in the ranks of independent MPs in recent months, with their numbers now reaching 53 — setting yet another record in Greek parliamentary history. The latest additions are MP for Piraeus B’ Nina G. Kasimati and MP for Arta Olga Gerovasili. Notably, these 53 independents informally constitute a parliamentary group, as they now outnumber the MPs of PASOK, the official opposition party.
The independents have become a coveted prize for virtually every political party, with the majority of them having previously belonged to SYRIZA. Among their ranks is also a former prime minister: Antonis Samaras, currently serving as MP for Messinia. Most of the independent MPs who were originally elected under SYRIZA are seeking to join the Greek Left Alliance (ELAS), founded by former Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras. However, Tsipras has made it clear that he will not accept sitting MPs into ELAS, leaving those individuals to think twice — or even three times — about their next move. It is telling that of all those who departed SYRIZA, the only ones who actually resigned their seats were Katerina Notopoulou, Giorgos Karameros, Symeon Kedikoglou, and Vassilis Kokkalis.
Of these, only Giorgos Karameros and Symeon Kedikoglou joined ELAS, while the future of both Notopoulou and Kokkalis remains open. Another figure steering toward Tsipras’s party is former Deputy Speaker of Parliament Olga Gerovasili, while at least 16 other MPs are eager to join ELAS. Based on all available indications, these include Popi Tsapanidou (who wishes to run in Thessaloniki A’), Dionysis Kalamatianus, Andreas Panagiotopoulos, Giannis Sarakiotis, and Ferhat Ozgiur. Meanwhile, the following MPs are reportedly awaiting a signal from the former prime minister: Kostas Barkas, Giorgos Gavrilos, Miltos Zamparas, Athina Linou, Kalliopi Vetta, Haris Mamoulakis, Giorgos Psychogios, Alexandros Meikopouloulos, Marina Kontotoli, and Sokratis Famellos. Additionally, Burhan Baran — who previously served under PASOK — appears to be on the verge of joining ELAS.
Those who have gone green
Meanwhile, PASOK has also been active in the political transfer market. Rania Thraskia and Petros Pappas joined the main opposition party earlier in 2025, with the most recent addition being Michalis Chourdakis. All three MPs are expected to run as candidates in the same constituency — Thessaloniki A’.
Also reportedly trying on the “green” jersey are Nina G. Kasimati — who has roots in the party’s founding movement — and set to run in Piraeus B’, and retired Admiral and national-list MP Evangelos Apostolakis, who is said to be considering a candidacy in either Piraeus A’ or Chania. On PASOK’s radar are also independent MPs Alexandros Avlonitis, Kyriaki Malama, Giota Poulou, and Myrto Korovesi, with their situations expected to be resolved in the coming period.
A particularly complex case is that of independent MP for Pella, Theodora Tzakri, as there is significant resistance within PASOK to the idea of her joining. Many within the party have not forgotten her past statements about PASOK, making this a situation that requires careful handling. An additional complication is the changes to the party’s statutes passed at its recent congress. Should her admission ultimately be approved, it is expected to be structured as a form of cooperation — meaning Tzakri would join as an associate of the party’s leadership rather than as a full member.
Notably, at this year’s celebration marking the restoration of democracy, Tzakri was quick to be photographed alongside former Prime Minister Giorgos Papandreou, sharing the images on social media. Many interpreted this gesture as a signal that everything that once led the MP for Pella out of PASOK now belongs to the past.
Flirtations from the right
As for the remaining independent MPs, Panagiotis Paraskevaidis — the Lesbos MP who was expelled by PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis — appears to be flirting with the idea of running in the 2027 elections either under former Prime Minister Antonis Samaras’s new party or with the Greek Solution party led by Kyriakos Velopoulos. Former “Spartans” party members Giannis Kontis and Thanasis Halkias appear to have found a home in Greek Solution, with which they are expected to stand as candidates. National-list MP Pavlos Sarakis — originally elected under Greek Solution — has not yet revealed his plans, though sources suggest he will not be running again, while Giorgos Aspiotis and Michalis Gavgiotakis (both formerly elected under the “Spartans”) appear to be heading out of politics altogether.
Haris Katsivardas has expressed a desire to join New Democracy, having stated on the parliamentary television channel not long ago that such a move would be “most welcome.” The political future of Giannis Dimitrokalis, Dionysis Valtogioannis, and Giorgos Manousos also remains unknown, though all three are said to be maintaining contacts with Ilias Kasidiaris. Finally, the political paths of Nikos Vretttos, Nikos Papadopoulos, and Konstantinos Floros remain unclear.
Published in the “Parapolitika” newspaper
