With 17 votes in favor, one against from Theodora Tzakri, and Olympia Teligioridou absent, the Political Secretariat of SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance reaffirmed the Central Committee’s decision to remove Stefanos Kasselakis from his role as party president.
However, this meeting wasn’t part of the original roadmap for the party’s leadership transition but came about unexpectedly after a round of phone calls initiated by Kasselakis’ team.
“Open my office”
It all began when Party Secretary Rania Svigou suddenly informed top party members yesterday that an urgent meeting was needed late in the afternoon, due to Kasselakis and his team’s challenge to his removal. According to reports, Svigou relayed to the Secretariat during the meeting that Kasselakis raised the issue not only of his position as president but also regarding whether he was still legally and financially responsible for the party during a phone call preceding the meeting.
In a series of calls between Kasselakis and SYRIZA’s headquarters (Koumoundourou), he also spoke with the party’s General Director, Christos Mavrokefalidis, who described the conversations to the Political Secretariat. Mavrokefalidis reportedly told top members that when Kasselakis asked who was administratively and financially responsible for the party, he replied, “I, Mavrokefalidis, am responsible.” Additionally, Mavrokefalidis informed the Secretariat that Kasselakis told him, “Open my office for me.”
“You should have called the police, not the political secretariat”
After the calls from Kasselakis to both the Secretary and the General Director, the building was secured by party security, and text messages were sent to Political Secretariat members, urging them to attend an emergency meeting out of concern that the situation could escalate. One senior party member even remarked, “You should have called the police, not the Political Secretariat,” as many top officials rushed to the headquarters, despite having other plans.
The timeline
Shortly before the meeting, Kasselakis’ team conveyed that two days prior, his office director, Manolis Kapnisakis, had called Rania Svigou and asked her who was legally and administratively responsible for the party. He received no answer, so Kasselakis called Svigou himself with the same question. Reportedly, Svigou referred him to the General Director, Mavrokefalidis. In turn, Mavrokefalidis answered the same question by saying, “You are responsible for the party, unless you sign a power of attorney for me.” Kasselakis allegedly responded, “How can I sign a power of attorney if I don’t know what decisions are being made?”
Nonetheless, during the last Political Secretariat meeting before the Central Committee’s decision, Mavrokefalidis had been authorized by the members to act as the party’s administrative head, based on legal opinions sought from law firms, to resolve any outstanding issues, as party sources noted. Some Political Secretariat members viewed Kasselakis’ leaks as an attempt to keep his supporters unified, four days after the Central Committee’s decision, which until yesterday had gone unchallenged.
“Greek-style capitol fails,” according to the “87”
Meanwhile, sources from SYRIZA’s headquarters (Koumoundourou) explained yesterday that there is “no power vacuum” following the motion against Stefanos Kasselakis, as the Political Secretariat holds political responsibility, while the party director, Christos Mavrokefalidis, is in charge of administrative, financial, and legal matters. Members of the “87” faction, in response to the recent rapid developments, referred to “Trump-inspired” tactics, commenting that “the Greek-style Capitol attempt by the ‘Balkan Trump’ has failed.”
At the same time, supporters of Stefanos Kasselakis remained outside the Koumoundourou building, jeering senior officials as they entered and exited the SYRIZA offices. Kasselakis also publicly intervened with a social media post while the Political Secretariat’s meeting was still ongoing. In his statement, he said, “I am here,” denouncing “unbelievable provocations.”
Jeering of Gerovassili
Angry Kasselakis supporters outside Koumoundourou booed Gerovassili and Theocharopoulos.
Here is Kasselakis’ full post:
“Since there are unbelievable provocations happening right now—from false dialogues to fake invitations (they even brought in a supposed supporter of mine wearing a Trump hat!)—I ask SYRIZA supporters not to organize protest rallies. Above all, do not sabotage the visit of the Head of SYRIZA’s parliamentary group, Nikos Pappas, to the Thessaloniki International Fair. In response to this derailment, calmness, patience, and restraint are our strength. Channel your anger into creativity. I am here.”
A few minutes later, the Political Secretariat concluded its meeting, declaring the matter “closed” and calling for respect for collective decisions in its official statement.
Full statement of the Political Secretariat:
“The Central Committee of SYRIZA-PS, the party’s highest body and the authentic interpreter of the Statute, by voting in favor of the no-confidence motion, automatically declared Stefanos Kasselakis deposed from the office of party president and activated the statutory provisions for holding an extraordinary party Congress. Respecting the decisions of the party’s collective bodies and adhering to the Statute and internal procedures is an obligation for every member and official. No one is above this. Therefore, this issue is considered closed.”
Polakis: “The case of the deposed leader is over”
On behalf of Stefanos Kasselakis, SYRIZA’s parliamentary group secretary, Theodora Tzakri, who opposed the motion, reportedly warned senior officials that the case of Kasselakis’ removal would be taken to court. After the meeting, she stated, “There is only one solution: the unanimous and wholehearted recognition of the legal rule that the president remains in office legally, politically, and institutionally until replaced or re-elected. It is neither legally nor politically feasible for the party to remain leaderless.
