The ongoing feud between those who recently left the “Hope for Democracy” party and its leadership continued over the weekend, with actress Katerina Moutsatso leveling new attacks against Maria Karystianou. Moutsatso publicly stressed that “the work of those who left is being downplayed,” responding to negative leaks coming from the party she recently departed.
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Thanasis Avgerinos was quick to reshare her post, adding his own fresh accusations against Maria Karystianou — who, for her part, chose not to respond and instead traveled to Paros for the Assumption of Mary holiday. Moutsatso’s message was aimed indirectly, yet unmistakably, at Karystianou and the leadership of the newly formed party. “I have no desire for a personal confrontation with anyone. What I do want is to protect the truth about the work that was done, and above all to stubbornly persist in the fight for Democracy, Freedom, and social emancipation — and of course for Culture…” the actress wrote on X, adding that she considers it “unfair for people’s contributions to be publicly dismissed simply because they chose to leave, or for their presence and work to be treated as if they never existed.”
What Katerina Moutsatso says about her departure from Karystianou’s party
In her post, Katerina Moutsatso explains that she decided to speak out publicly following the leak of a private message she had sent upon her departure, as well as due to claims being made about her role and level of involvement. “References have been made — and continue to be made publicly — that create the impression that my participation in the political movement was limited to nothing more than ‘presenting the movement’ on May 21, 2026 in Thessaloniki, or that ‘those who left did everything just to get positions,’ were seeking personal publicity, or ‘did nothing at all,'” she noted. Rather than dwelling on the reasons behind her exit, her latest statement focuses on highlighting what she actually contributed during her time with the party. She explains that over the course of her more than two months of involvement, she worked on two fully developed policy proposals — the first covering Culture and Cultural Heritage, and the second focusing on Greek cinema and audiovisual policy. She has also stated that she is prepared to make both policy documents public, so that — as she puts it — anyone can judge the scope and seriousness of her work for themselves.
Avgerinos weighs in
Seizing on the actress’s latest statement, Thanasis Avgerinos took the opportunity to address Maria Karystianou directly — without naming her: “When instead of responding with arguments, you resort to lies and a demeaning attempt to belittle your own colleagues, you reveal a great deal. Katerina Moutsatso is telling the naked truth,” wrote the journalist and former press spokesman for the Hope for Democracy party on X.
It remains to be seen whether — and when — Maria Karystianou will respond. She had been on the island of Paros for the Assumption of Mary celebrations, and on Sunday morning she was spotted at the island’s port, waiting in line alongside other passengers to board the ferry back to Athens.
Originally published in Apogevmatini
