Maria Karystianou's Hope for Democracy party hit by wave of resignations

After the removal and expulsion of former spokesperson Thanasis Avgerinos, three senior members of the Hope for Democracy movement – actress Kateryna Moutsatsou, school psychologist Maria Ioannidou and union leader Takis Kotsorgios – announced their resignations on 4 August 2026. Their statements thanked colleagues, reaffirmed commitment to democratic ideals and described the departure as the end of a personal cycle.

Avgerinos, now excluded from the party, posted a sarcastic video on social media claiming a “kidnap plan” to seize the leadership had been thwarted by a “top backstage factor”. The party’s Political Council warned of an attempted internal sabotage, denounced “self‑serving” maneuvers and called for unity amid the growing internal crisis.

The resignations broaden the turmoil within the newly founded party led by Maria Karystianou, raising questions about its internal governance and future cohesion.