New developments are taking shape within SYRIZA following the decision by Rena Dourou to remove Nina Kasimati and Olga Gerovassili from the party’s Parliamentary Group. “It is necessary to clarify the composition and functioning of our Parliamentary Group. There are two pending issues that are clouding its cohesive character,” the SYRIZA Parliamentary Group leader stated in a letter addressed to the party’s MPs.
Through this letter, Dourou announced the immediate expulsion of Nina Kasimati, issued an ultimatum to Olga Gerovassili demanding she surrender her parliamentary seat, and extended an open invitation to independent MPs who had originally been elected under the SYRIZA banner to return to the fold. “She did not participate in the election process for the Parliamentary Group leadership, she did not take on any parliamentary responsibility portfolio, and for many months she has neither signed nor submitted parliamentary questions — meaning she has played no part in holding the right-wing government accountable,” Dourou wrote of Kasimati, adding that the decision had been taken “to remove her from the SYRIZA Parliamentary Group.”
SYRIZA: Why Rena Dourou expelled Nina Kasimati
Dourou described the move as a “political and institutional decision,” arguing that it brings to an end a situation that had remained unresolved for an extended period and had been undermining the functioning of the Parliamentary Group.
What is happening with Olga Gerovassili
Regarding Olga Gerovassili, Dourou stated that she is no longer a member of the Parliamentary Group, as Gerovassili herself made clear on July 17 when she announced her decision to leave the party. Dourou noted that Gerovassili had indicated she would submit her formal letter of resignation from the Parliamentary Group when parliament resumes on August 24, citing issues related to her role as Vice President of the Hellenic Parliament. “We are waiting until August 24 for her to send the resignation letter and for the institutional process to be completed with the handover of her seat,” the SYRIZA Parliamentary Group leader emphasized.
A call to independent MPs
Rena Dourou also linked the seat issue to a broader appeal directed at independent MPs who were originally elected under SYRIZA. She called on them to return to the party, provided they still share its principles, values, and political positions. She further noted that SYRIZA is already in contact with several independent MPs and expressed confidence that these discussions will yield results in the near future, strengthening the party’s Parliamentary Group.
A significant portion of the letter addresses SYRIZA’s efforts to rebuild following the most recent decision of its Central Committee — a decision Dourou described as the starting point for the party’s “relaunch” and the end of a difficult period of internal division. The Parliamentary Group leader signaled that SYRIZA is entering the new pre-election period with a compact group of 10 MPs, leaving behind its era of inward-looking politics. It is worth noting that, as a result of these developments, SYRIZA now ranks fifth in parliament, falling below Greek Solution, which holds 11 seats, while the number of independent MPs has now reached 53.
Originally published in Apogevmatini
