The resignation of Giorgos Karameros is triggering rapid developments within SYRIZA, as at least four MPs are reportedly considering walking out of the party’s Koumoundourou headquarters. In practice, the dilemma they face is whether to make their move before or after the party’s Central Committee meeting.
Alexandros Meikopoulos, Miltos Zamparas, Vasilis Kokkalis, and Symeon Kedikopoulos have each signaled in their own way that they view Alexis Tsipras’ new political venture as a viable alternative to Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ government. Meanwhile, Giorgos Gavrilos has made it known that he will not be running under the SYRIZA banner.
All indications point to serious developments following the Central Committee session scheduled for Saturday, July 11 — a meeting whose outcome remains highly uncertain, particularly given the apparent shift in direction by party leader Socrates Famellos.
Associates of the SYRIZA president have stated in their remarks that the party never ruled out contesting the upcoming elections, even though until recently they had been assuring supporters that no rival ballot against Alexis Tsipras would be fielded.
Nevertheless, despite the situation appearing to gradually clarify, the party leader’s stance is not helping matters — as Famellos has yet to openly declare his intentions.
Meanwhile, the minority faction within the party also appears deeply divided. Nikos Pappas and Rena Dourou continue to advocate for collective leadership, while Pavlos Polakis has declared his candidacy for the party leadership. Should the MP from Chania hold firm to his position, a split within the minority front cannot be ruled out.
In the scenario where SYRIZA contests the elections independently, it is expected to seek collaboration with Nea Aristera (New Left), Nikos Kotzias, and Louka Katseli.
On the parliamentary front, Karameros’ resignation — with the handover of his seat expected next Friday — also carries significant implications. His seat will not go to Christos Spirtsis, who is aligned with Alexis Tsipras, but rather to Myrto Korovesi, the vice president of the party under Stefanos Kasselakis.
It is worth noting that the former MP for Eastern Attica personally informed SYRIZA president Famellos on Saturday morning that he was stepping down from both his parliamentary seat and all party roles, making clear that this was not a move toward political independence.
The conversation between the two men reportedly took place in a notably cordial atmosphere, with Socrates Famellos wishing him well for the future.
In his resignation letter, Giorgos Karameros kept a measured tone regarding his reasons for leaving, noting that he had found himself “unexpectedly on the front line” and that he would continue to be there as an “active citizen, a simple soldier” of the progressive movement. Explaining why he chose to relinquish his parliamentary seat rather than become an independent, he wrote that “power is not a possession but a trust,” while emphasizing that the only privilege he retains is the confidence of the citizens who elected him. He also addressed the Hellenic Police (ELAS) and Alexis Tsipras, stressing that his support for them “remains — and is in fact stronger than ever.”
