Alexis Charitsis submitted his resignation from the leadership of New Left today during an ongoing meeting of the party’s Political Bureau.

Under the party’s statutes, Gabriel Sakellaridis is expected to take over the leadership, while it remains unclear who will replace Charitsis as head of the Parliamentary Group.

Charitsis’ letter to the members of New Left

History has accelerated, and the world as we knew it is collapsing. After seven years of right-wing governance, the country is already becoming involved in a war with uncertain consequences, and insecurity is overshadowing our lives. Under these conditions, the Left appears to be standing still, consumed by introversion. I believe that the only way forward is to move ahead—so that we can open a path worthy of those who are already feeling what a “third Mitsotakis term” would mean.

I have decided to submit my resignation from the position of President of New Left.

This is not a decision I made lightly. From the very beginning, I believed—and still believe—that New Left deserved and deserves a leading role in forming a broad political and social alliance. I have been completely honest and clear about this.

Today, within the Left and New Left, there are two diverging strategies. On the one hand, there is the choice of ideological self-sufficiency and retreat because the balance of forces is difficult. On the other hand, there is the choice of openness, of seeking convergence, and of building a front against the Right. Everyone knows that the latter is the course I have fought for and will continue to fight for—not because it is easy, but because it is necessary.

I believe this direction is supported by the majority of society and shared by many members and supporters of New Left. It reflects a real and strong demand: to rebuild a left-wing governing perspective against a neoliberal-conservative dominance with far-right characteristics. It is also a position that has strengthened our Parliamentary Group in its daily struggle against the establishment arrogance of the Right.

However, this is not the direction chosen by the majority of the Political Bureau and the Central Committee of New Left.

I do not see opponents among comrades who hold a different view. But I do see a real political disagreement—one with history and depth—that cannot keep us trapped in inertia. We must move forward.

For this reason, I consider it necessary to resign.

To the question “why now,” my answer is that, given the ongoing fluidity of the political situation, I have consciously tried all this time to keep New Left’s stance open—to avoid prematurely closing off options. Instead, I sought to help create the conditions for something broader.

However, it is now clear that the majority within the party’s bodies has chosen a fundamentally different path. I respect that choice. But it must now assume responsibility for leading the party.

I am not stepping back from the views I support. I will continue to fight for them. Because I believe they are tied to something both simple and essential: the need for the Left to be socially useful—to generate developments and offer an outlet to people who currently feel suffocated.

We are at a moment when the goal is not merely to record political strength, but to shift the balance of forces in a meaningful way, with radical direction, continuity, and perspective. We must create that perspective through our actions, however difficult they may be. Today, there is a strong current in society questioning the bleak reality. The responsibility of the Left is to meet it—not with fear or grand rhetoric, but with confidence, seriousness, and clarity.

In this direction, I will continue to contribute with all my strength. Because what is at stake today is not positions or roles, but whether we can overcome deadlocks and open new possibilities.

I sincerely thank all comrades for this valuable journey. The struggle continues.

Alexis Charitsis