# 2026 Hope for Democracy internal turmoil > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/greek-political-party-resignations > Updated: 2026-08-04T14:50:00.000Z. Sources: 66. Developments: 9. Late June 2026 marked the first high‑profile departures from Maria Karystianou’s newly founded Hope for Democracy (ELpida). Technical advisor Vasilis Kokotakis and retired colonel Athanasios Papanikolaou quit, citing a lack of collective democratic procedures and a vague policy line. Subsequent resignations included former athlete‑coach Kostas Vambakas and Crete members Achilleas Rompogianakis and Angeliki Lenakaki. Karystianou responded by launching a website, opening registrations and promising transparent, citizen‑driven statutes, while accusing “dishonest” insiders of extortion and ballot manipulation. In July the party presented a near‑final programme in Kalamata, ruled out coalitions with New Democracy or the Tsipras‑led party, and hinted at elections in September‑October. The same month former spokesperson Thanasis (Thanasios) Avgerinos was expelled after accusations of running a parallel press office; his later social‑media posts were denounced as divisive. Anti‑foreclosure activist Othōnas Iakovidis also resigned, alleging a conflict of interest over Karystianou’s purchase of a foreclosed apartment. A week after Avgerinos’ expulsion, actress Kateryna Moutsatsou, school psychologist Maria Ioannidou and union leader Takis Kotsorgios left, criticizing internal management while reaffirming democratic ideals. On 2 August the expulsions were reiterated, and on 4 August the party’s political council labeled a video posted by the expelled Avgerinos—claiming a halted kidnapping plot—as an “attempt at internal overthrow.” The resignations and the kidnapping claim deepened the internal crisis and heightened doubts about the movement’s cohesion and future prospects. ## Claims - A parallel press office has been operating within the movement since 12 July. (corroborated by 9 sources) - Thanasis Avgérinos announced his resignation as spokesperson for the party Hope for Democracy. (corroborated by 6 sources) - He stated he no longer has any responsibility for the party’s communication activities and does not represent it in the media. (corroborated by 6 sources) - Since at least 12 July, a parallel press office has been operating within the movement, whose composition he does not know. (corroborated by 6 sources) - He accused 'suspected and planted advisors of the corridors' as a problem for the movement. (corroborated by 6 sources) - He will take a short vacation (a few days). (corroborated by 6 sources) - Thanasis Avgyrinos announced via social media that he is no longer responsible for the communications activity of the 'Hope for Democracy' movement. (corroborated by 6 sources) - He is no longer representing the party in the media. (corroborated by 6 sources) - Since 12 July a parallel press office has been operating within the movement, whose composition Avgyrinos does not know. (corroborated by 6 sources) - Avgyrinos criticised “suspect and planted advisors” as a problem for the movement. (corroborated by 6 sources) - Avgyrinos said he will take a short vacation. (corroborated by 6 sources) - Thanasēs Avgērinós announced he no longer has any responsibility for the communication activity of the party “Hope for Democracy”. (corroborated by 6 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-04: Hope for Democracy' party faces resignations, kidnapping claim Hope for Democracy faces internal resignations and a video claim by expelled journalist Thanasis Avgerinos that a kidnapping plot against its leadership was averted. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hope-for-democracy-party-faces-resignations-kidnapping-claim ### 2026-08-02: Maria Karystianou's 'Hope for Democracy' party sees wave of resignations Maria Karystianou's ‘Hope for Democracy’ party faces internal turmoil as spokesperson Thanasios Avgerinos is expelled and three members – Kateryna Moutsatsou, Maria Ioannidou and Takis Kotsorgios – resign, each 18 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/greek-journalist-thanasis-avgirinos-expelled-from-hope-for-democracy ### 2026-07-31: Maria Karystianou Expels Thanasis Avgerinos from Hope for Democracy Maria Karystianou expelled former spokesperson Thanasis Avgerinos from Hope for Democracy, citing his divisive remarks and breach of the party’s non‑cooperation principle. 30 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/maria-karystianou-urges-resigning-spokesperson-to-leave-to-avoid-holding-back-hope-for-democracy ### 2026-07-29: Thanasis Avgyrinos quits as spokesperson for Maria Karystianou's 'Hope for Democracy' party Thanasis Avgyrinos announced via Facebook that he has resigned as spokesperson for Maria Karystianou's 'Hope for Democracy' party, citing a parallel press office and 'plant' advisors, and will take a short trip 15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/thanasis-avgrinos-quits-as-spokesperson-for-maria-karystinous-hope-for-democracy ### 2026-07-18: Maria Karystianou unveils Hope for Democracy platform, rejects ND, Tsipras Maria Karystianou, leader of Greece's Hope for Democracy, presented a near‑finished platform on inflation, wages and an autumn election, and ruled out alliances with ND or Tsipras. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/maria-karystianou-unveils-hope-for-democracy-platform-rejects-nd-tsipras ### 2026-07-06: Othōnas Iakovidis resigns from Greece's 'Hope for Democracy' over real‑estate scandal Othōnas Iakovidis quit the Greek ‘Hope for Democracy’ party, saying Maria Karystianou’s purchase of a foreclosure‑auction apartment violates his anti‑foreclosure principles and the party’s founding goals. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/othnas-iakovidis-resigns-from-greeces-hope-for-democracy-over-realestate-scandal ### 2026-06-27: Maria Karystianou vows to revamp Greece’s ELpida movement amid internal scandal Maria Karystianou, leader of Greece’s ELpida, said a handful of insiders engaged in ‘archiglikia’, candidate‑buying, underground ballot‑forming and extortion, and announced a clean‑up and restructure of the set 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/maria-karystianou-vows-elpida-cleanse-after-resignations ### 2026-06-25: Maria Karystianou vows internal purge as ELPIΔA faces member resignations Maria Karystianou says ELPIΔA will be “cleaned” after accusing insiders of extortion and candidate‑buying, as several senior members resign. 11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/maria-karystinous-hope-for-democracy-party-sees-multiple-resignations ### 2026-06-24: Maria Karystianou's Hope for Democracy movement hit by resignations Vasilis Kokotakis and retired colonel Athanasios Papanikolaou quit Maria Karystianou's new “Hope for Democracy” movement, citing lack of democratic processes. Karystianou defends the initiative, launching its, 24 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vasilis-kokotsakis-quits-maria-karystianis-hope-for-democracy-party --- Cite as: 2026 Hope for Democracy internal turmoil. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/greek-political-party-resignations