Syriza rocked by mass resignations and parliamentary exits

The centre‑left opposition Syriza is undergoing a rapid disintegration. Within a few days, 63 members of the party’s Central Committee submitted resignations, accusing a minority of undermining the party’s statutes and driving it toward split. At the same time, a wave of parliamentary exits has reduced the Syriza parliamentary group to just 15‑16 members. Notable departures include MP Giannis Raggousi, who announced his resignation with a brief “Thank you”, and MP Miltiadis Zambaras, who declared his independent status. MP Poppy Tsapaniadou, MP Kostas Barakas and MP Kalliopi Vetta also left the parliamentary group, citing strategic reasons.

In an effort to stabilise the group, the party’s Political Secretariat demanded that any MP elected on the Syriza‑Progressive Alliance ticket and now sitting as an independent should return their seat, stating: “Anyone who departs must return the seat they hold.” The Secretariat also queried the Greek Left Coalition and its leader Alexis Tsipras about whether the newly independent MPs will stand on its ballot in the upcoming elections. Meanwhile, Pavlos Polakis was formally readmitted to the parliamentary group, marking his third return after previous expulsions. The group also elected a new secretary, Giannis Amanatidis, who is expected to oversee the re‑organisation and upcoming leadership election, with Rena Dourou and other figures poised to contend for the party’s top post. The internal turmoil threatens Syriza’s cohesion ahead of the next national election.