SYRIZA splits as parliamentary group boycotts democracy ceremony and former leader Famellos becomes independent

Three opposition parties – SYRIZA, Freedom Movement and NIKI – announced they would not attend the annual “Restoration of Democracy” ceremony at the Presidential Mansion on 24 July. SYRIZA’s parliamentary group, led by Rena Dourou, sent a letter to President Konstantinos Tasoulas saying the event is dominated by figures nostalgic for the 1967‑1974 junta and does not honour the victims of the dictatorship. Instead, the SYRIZA delegation took part in a gathering of former political prisoners to commemorate the anti‑dictatorship struggle.

At the same time, former SYRIZA president Socrates Famellos formally notified Speaker Nikitas Kaklamanis of his decision to leave the SYRIZA parliamentary group and sit as an independent MP. He said recent developments in the party no longer reflect left‑wing values and he cannot support what he describes as “pericharakosi”. Famellos argued that parliamentary seats belong to the voters and to the programme under which they were elected. SYRIZA’s leadership responded sharply, accusing him of undermining party unity and invoking the party’s code of conduct, which normally requires departing members to surrender their seats.

The two developments underscore growing internal rifts within SYRIZA, affecting its parliamentary representation and public perception ahead of upcoming elections.