The doors of Koumoundourou have swung open, and closing them again seems nearly impossible — one after another, SYRIZA members are abandoning the party. Recent developments between Socrates Famellos and the faction led by Polakis, Pappas, and Dourou suggest that the situation has spiraled out of control, with no one certain what shape the party will take after the Central Committee meeting on July 11th.
SYRIZA: Scenarios of MPs breaking away to join Tsipras’s new party
The July 11th date carries enormous significance. Following whatever decisions emerge from the Koumoundourou headquarters, MPs who wish to align themselves with Alexis Tsipras’s new political venture are expected to declare their independence. If the Central Committee leans toward the view that SYRIZA should contest elections on its own, defections and resignations of MPs and party officials are considered all but inevitable.
Meanwhile, former SYRIZA press spokesperson Kostas Zachariadis — who has already resigned from his role — is reportedly preparing his formal resignation letter from the party. On Wednesday, Panagiotis Panagiotou also walked out of Koumoundourou.
These mounting departures are shifting the balance of power within the Central Committee, and all signs point to deep uncertainty about what will unfold this coming Saturday — particularly following the apparent change of stance by Socrates Famellos, who now seems to be stepping back from his earlier support for Alexis Tsipras’s new political project.
Polakis, Pappas and Dourou: The battle for SYRIZA’s future
Within the minority faction, divisions are becoming increasingly apparent. Pavlos Polakis appears to be positioning himself as a candidate for the SYRIZA leadership, as does Rena Dourou — though she is treading carefully. Nikos Pappas, for his part, has been advocating for a model of collective leadership. Meanwhile, Yannis Boulekos, who co-signed a proposal alongside six other party officials calling for the convening of the Central Committee, has indicated that the issue is not about personalities but about policy positions — signaling that he does not directly challenge the party’s current leader.
Nevertheless, both Nikos Pappas and Rena Dourou are said to be deeply frustrated by Polakis’s conduct. They believe that openly challenging the party leader could trigger a rallying effect, driving those who remain in the Central Committee to consolidate behind Socrates Famellos. As they see it, this is not the moment for personal leadership battles.
The Gerovassili and Kalamatianosactor
In a Wednesday interview, former Digital Policy Minister Nikos Pappas underscored the need for collective leadership and electoral preparedness. He also directly called on Olga Gerovassili and Dionysis Kalamatianosto take a clear public stance: “There is even more reason for our members who hold institutional positions — the Deputy Speaker of Parliament and the Secretary of the Parliamentary Group — to say: ‘We are here, we are fighting to ensure that SYRIZA is strong alongside its alliance and makes it into Parliament.'” The remark drew considerable attention among party insiders, with many recalling a particularly painful episode from the recent past — when Olga Gerovassili found herself effectively abandoned overnight at SYRIZA’s 4th Congress in February 2024, despite assurances from fellow members, as she challenged Stefanos Kasselakis for the party leadership.
Today, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament is maintaining a low profile while remaining closely aligned with Alexis Tsipras. Dionysis Kalamatianosis firmly among those who believe that SYRIZA should under no circumstances field a competing ticket against Tsipras’s new electoral alliance.
Calls for unity within SYRIZA
With uncertainty mounting over how Pavlos Polakis will act at the Central Committee — and whether he will directly challenge Socrates Famellos — many SYRIZA officials are now openly urging calm and restraint.
“I am calling on everyone to set aside their egos and bring collective values back to the heart of our political stance and action within SYRIZA-PS. There is no room for further weakening of a party that continues to play a significant role in the country’s political life,” said the party’s press spokesperson, in remarks directed at the MP for Chania.
Andreas Panagiotopoulossaid he categorically rejects the idea: “I will not entertain the prospect of fielding a rival ticket against Alexis Tsipras’s electoral alliance. It would be a catastrophic scenario and does not reflect what society actually demands.” Panos Rigas, meanwhile, struck a defiant tone: “SYRIZA will survive — it is not finished and nobody can finish it.”
