The news of the resignation of Diamantis Karanastasis from both the parliamentary group of Plefsi Eleftherias and from his parliamentary seat “struck like lightning out of a clear sky.” The sudden announcement by the life partner of Zoe Konstantopoulou—and until recently, her political partner—that he was leaving the Plefsi Eleftherias “ship” for the sake of culture, as he put it, caused a stir and raised questions about whether his resignation is related to possible clouds in their personal relationship.

It is recalled that a year ago, media reports spoke of a crisis in the relationship of the high-profile couple, triggered by Mr. Karanastasis’ prolonged absence from parliamentary sessions. The two, however, rushed to deny the rumors through public outings and statements of mutual admiration, even though the well-known actor’s absence from legislative work continued.

In one of his interviews at the time, Karanastasis said of Zoe Konstantopoulou: “She is a mischievous little girl, something she maintains in her political and legal career. She is a unique and intelligent person.”

Similarly, the president of Plefsi Eleftherias had previously admitted that seeing Karanastasis’ relationship with the children from his previous marriage “made me feel the need to have children. It was something I didn’t have before, but watching someone give so much to his children awakened maternal feelings in me.”

Still, both the well-known actor and the former Speaker of Parliament hastened—albeit indirectly—to reassure anyone who might assume that they are parting ways not only politically but also personally.

In his resignation letter, Mr. Karanastasis includes a particularly warm reference to Ms. Konstantopoulou:
“This unique political beast, this being with the huge heart and bright eyes, this rare woman, with whom we created Nuclear Explosions with our wooden swords—things that have never happened before in our country. She deserves so much, many more victories,” he wrote.

Likewise, the party president, in her first statement after his resignation, said:
“Plefsi Eleftherias loses from its front line an invaluable supporter, defender, and inspirer—it loses its most precious pillar. But it emerges stronger from the example he has set and embodied.”
She also preemptively dismissed speculation that the resignation caught her completely by surprise, saying the decision was made before last week’s party event presenting its government program.

In a second, more personal statement, Ms. Konstantopoulou again praised Karanastasis as the person behind every Plefsi campaign:
“Plefsi Eleftherias was brought into Parliament by Diamantis, who conceived a pioneering campaign that highlighted our work when polls ignored us.”
She added that he was the one who endured “the most vicious, poisonous attacks and unimaginable hatred” and noted that she tried to convince him to stay. She concluded:
“The journey is not over. Life is an open sea. And it belongs to the brave, the true, the pure. You have shown the way.”