Greek Parliament in Flux: SYRIZA Loses Opposition Role and New Parties Emerge

November 25, 2024
Written by E.Tsiliopoulos

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Greek Parliament in Flux: SYRIZA Loses Opposition Role and New Parties Emerge

The political scene in Greece is undergoing dramatic shifts, altering power dynamics and roles initially defined in the June 2023 elections. For the first time in modern Greek history, SYRIZA has lost its position as the main opposition party without elections taking place. Meanwhile, new parties such as the Democracy Movement, founded by Stefanos Kasselakis, are reshaping the political landscape.

In the past 17 months, 32 MPs have declared independence from six parties, with SYRIZA and the Spartans contributing the most to this figure. SYRIZA has also seen two leadership changes during this period, with Sokratis Famellos elected as its new leader on Sunday.

SYRIZA’s Fragmentation:
SYRIZA has lost 18 MPs this term. Eleven left to form the New Left, while others joined Kasselakis’ Democracy Movement. Despite these defections, Kasselakis’ party needs 10 MPs to establish a formal parliamentary presence.
New Political Dynamics:
The political field now includes four parties spun off from SYRIZA: New Left, MeRA25, Zoe Konstantopoulou’s Plefsi Eleftherias, and Kasselakis’ Democracy Movement. PASOK has emerged as the official opposition, benefiting from SYRIZA’s decline.
Parliamentary Power Shift:
PASOK gains increased privileges as the new main opposition party, including greater representation in parliamentary committees and leadership roles. Meanwhile, other parties like the Spartans face internal crises, risking their parliamentary presence.
ND’s Resilience:
Despite internal challenges, New Democracy has maintained cohesion, with potential reintegration of members after key budget votes.

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