Maria Karystianou's Hope for Democracy movement hit by resignations

Vasilis Kokotakis, a technical advisor to the families of the Tempi train‑crash victims, announced his departure from the newly founded political movement “Hope for Democracy” (Ελπίδα για τη Δημοκρατία) led by Maria Karystianou. In his statement he said the project “followed a different road” than he had envisioned, lamenting a lack of collective democratic procedures and calling the initiative a “personal political venture”. He apologized to supporters, writing, “I feel the need to address personally all friends and citizens affected by my stance.”

Retired colonel Athanasios Papanikolaou also withdrew, citing the same concerns about absent democratic processes and the absence of a clear policy line on national issues. Karystianou responded by defending the movement, noting it is only a month old, that the accusations are “premature and unjust”, and emphasizing that the initiative “belongs to the citizens, not to leaders”. She announced the launch of the official website and opened member registrations, stressing that statutes and governing bodies will be created through transparent, citizen‑driven procedures. The resignations have triggered a series of public statements and highlight internal tensions as the movement seeks to establish its organisational structures.