Famellos announced his decision in a televised message, becoming the third leader of SYRIZA to leave the party’s leadership in recent years, following Alexis Tsipras’ resignation in 2023 and Stefanos Kasselakis’ removal from the party leadership in 2024.

In his recorded statement, Famellos said he had fought for cooperation among progressive forces but “encountered the refusal of PASOK and New Left, which bear serious responsibility for the fragmentation” of the wider progressive political space.

Famellos also acknowledged that “Alexis Tsipras’ resignation and the creation of ELAS marked a significant change in the progressive political landscape.” Famellos said that from the beginning he had ruled out any confrontation with Tsipras’ new political movement, but noted that, despite the steps taken by SYRIZA, ELAS had publicly rejected cooperation and political convergence.

“Despite the major steps forward we took, the side of ELAS has publicly expressed its refusal for cooperation and convergence, contrary to society’s call for unity,” he said.

Famellos also expressed frustration over what he described as “dismissive comments” that undermine the ability of SYRIZA and its members to contribute positively to a broader alliance of left-wing and progressive citizens and political groups.

Criticism of SYRIZA figures

The outgoing leader also criticised members of SYRIZA, accusing some party officials of undermining the leadership’s decisions from the very beginning.

According to Famellos, certain figures “sabotaged our decision from day one,” challenging democratic collective procedures and ignoring the will of the overwhelming majority of party members, with the aim of limiting SYRIZA’s electoral reach and questioning his leadership.

He added that “the same mistakes and the same personal strategies that led to SYRIZA’s decline in 2023 are unfortunately being repeated.”

Famellos concluded his statement by saying:

“All of the above challenge the basic goals I had set when I was elected. I cannot support a different political plan.

I resign from the presidency of SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance.

I do not want, and I cannot, become part of this division at this critical political moment for our country.”

“I am not resigning from Parliament or from SYRIZA”

Famellos stressed that his resignation only concerns the party leadership and that he will remain both an MP and a member of SYRIZA.

“I am not resigning from Parliament.

I am not resigning from SYRIZA-PS.

I respect the mandate given by the people, I believe in the Left and in political action.”

He said his resignation carried “one and only political message”:

“SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance and the entire Left must serve unity so that the Right can leave power, for the benefit of the people.

We must not allow further division.

And here, everyone must take responsibility.”

A major shake-up for SYRIZA and Greece’s centre-left

The resignation creates new uncertainty for SYRIZA and the wider centre-left political landscape in Greece.

Famellos served as president of SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance for around a year and a half, having been elected on November 24, 2024. He has been an MP since 2015.

The reasons behind his resignation

According to reliable sources, the increasingly tense atmosphere inside SYRIZA ahead of Saturday’s Central Committee meeting played a decisive role in Famellos’ decision.

The SYRIZA leader had been facing a deadlock over the implementation of the party’s Central Committee decision, following his proposal, to support Alexis Tsipras’ new political movement, ELAS.

The situation became more difficult after Tsipras repeatedly stated that the historical cycle of SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance had come to an end. At the same time, party members, officials and MPs were reportedly leaving SYRIZA and moving towards ELAS.

A crucial factor was also the decision by several sitting SYRIZA MPs not to attend Saturday’s Central Committee meeting, leaving Famellos isolated in his support for the party line.

At the same time, the intense criticism from Pavlos Polakis, who had called for Famellos’ resignation two days earlier, as well as the “collective leadership” model promoted by Nikos Pappas and Rena Dourou, further deepened the deadlock facing the SYRIZA leader.

The developments have opened the way for a new period of intense internal discussions and political manoeuvring within the party.

A heavy atmosphere at SYRIZA headquarters

The atmosphere among Famellos’ close associates on the seventh floor of SYRIZA’s headquarters was described as extremely tense throughout the day, as the first rumours of the leader’s resignation began circulating.

Famellos had remained at his office in the party’s headquarters from early in the morning as speculation over his future intensified.