Stefanos Kasselakis, the former leader of the Syriza party, has been ousted from his position following a no-confidence vote by the party's Central Committee. The unexpected move has left Mr. Kasselakis and his supporters in a state of uncertainty about his political future.
Mr. Kasselakis, who is not an elected member of parliament, will no longer be able to participate in Syriza' scommittees.
His absence will be particularly felt at the upcoming Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF), where Nikos Pappas, the head of Syriiza’s parliamentary group, will represent the party.
The party is now preparing to elect a new leader.
The Political Secretariat will outline a roadmap tomorrow, and the Central Committee is expected to meet in two weeks to organize the congress that will confirm the procedures for electing a new leader.
Mr. Kasselakis has already cleared out his office at Syriza’s headquarters and several of his aides have resigned.
Speculation is rife about his next steps, with some suggesting he may run for party leadership again, while others believe he could form a new political entity.
Mr. Kasselakis has expressed mixed feelings about his removal, calling the no-confidence result both a relief and a disappointment.
His supporters are also divided, with some urging him to stay within Syriza and others believing that forming a new party is the best option.
The upcoming Syriza Political Secretariat meeting may play a crucial role in determining Mr. Kasselakis' path, with some of his supporters fearing that party insiders are planning to delay presidential elections to weaken his influence. The possibility of Mr. Kasselakis forming a new party, potentially with the support of some Syriza MPs, is also gaining traction.
As Mr. Kasselakis weighs his options, the future of Syriza remains uncertain.
The party's ability to recover from this internal turmoil will depend on its ability to unite and elect a new leader who can restore its credibility and appeal to voters.