The contest for second place is starting again in the coming days, as Alexis Tsipras and Maria Karystianou are expected to reveal their plans within May, presenting parties, symbols, and figures that will surround their new ventures, in a tug-of-war for second place, where at the moment—without the new “players”—PASOK appears to have consolidated its position.

Both the increasing frequency of their public interventions and the feverish pace at which their teams are operating reveal the anxiety over the prize of leading the official opposition, as well as the fluid political landscape in which independent MPs, new figures, and the usual… political wanderers are seeking a better political fate.

Moreover, analysts’ difficulty in predicting who will win the “silver medal” in the electoral race is intensifying competition between them, while PASOK headquarters, Maria Karystianou, and Alexis Tsipras are closely watching each other’s moves.

The former prime minister gave a first strong signal of his “full comeback” by saying that “the time is approaching,” which is placed in the second half of May, barring dramatic unforeseen events. Even earlier, however, Maria Karystianou is strongly rumored to proceed with her next decisive political step, presenting the name, emblem, declaration, and a committee of personalities following the prompt “we begin,” which marked her transition into the central political scene.

For her supporters, the poll by the company Interview, which placed her third midweek with 7.9%, reignited momentum, although the same measurement did not include Alexis Tsipras’s new party. Many analysts estimate that his party could reach second place, behind Karystianou’s party and PASOK, after the official announcement of its establishment.

In potential voting measurements, over the previous period Karystianou’s party appeared to draw significant support mainly from Plefsi Eleftherias, Niki, and Elliniki Lysi, while securing smaller inflows from all parties, as well as from undecided voters.

On his side, Alexis Tsipras—again at the level of potential vote—appears to “absorb” the current SYRIZA and attract significant inflows from all parties of the broader Left, as well as, to some extent, from PASOK.

Maria Karystianou’s political initiative is expected to first appear on social media, followed by an open political event. Information suggests that academics, scientists, market representatives, figures known in church circles but without prior party backgrounds (such as individuals coming from Niki), people from the judiciary, and members of the younger generation are close to her.

The impression conveyed by her interlocutors is that Maria Karystianou has a large pool of people who have approached her, watching the competition for second place. In this sense, the possibility of overtaking Alexis Tsipras does not leave her indifferent, as was seen on the eve of his television interview on ANT1, when she pressed the button revealing the “We Begin” movement. Since then, she has intervened in a targeted way on current political issues, “firing” at the government, while the countdown to unveiling her project has begun.

Old, new and… SYRIZA members: Tsipras’s “apostles”

He takes more than half of SYRIZA in installments and all of New Left — What his new team looks like

Key figures in the organizational chart of Alexis Tsipras’s new political body are gradually appearing in the public sphere, as preparations intensify for his next step: returning to the central political scene.

“I am returning now,” the former prime minister said meaningfully at the 11th Delphi Forum, and meetings have multiplied at Amalias and Filellinon, where his institute’s offices are located. It is no secret that Tsipras now holds daily contacts with new and old members, having completed in recent times his new strike team, largely composed of people in their 40s.

Common characteristics of his team include trusted individuals who were for years in his inner circle of confidential collaborators, as well as fresh faces with strong résumés, a mainly centrist political orientation, and moderate behavior. According to reliable information, the recruitment pools are three: younger-generation members of the former unified SYRIZA, individuals who connected with his team during the “Ithaca” presentations, and professionals from the market and science with a technocratic profile.

Among his closest trusted circle remain Michalis Kalogirou, Vangelis Kalpadakis, Giorgos Chouliarakis, Dimitris Liakos (with strong fiscal governance experience), diplomat Dimitris Papageorgiou, Gianna Peppe, as well as Giorgos Vassiliadis and Grigoris Theodorakis, the latter two also acting as connectors with other political figures within and outside SYRIZA.

Technocrats and new faces

Operating from the institute, technocratic figures close to him include Evgenia Fotoniata, Dora Kotsaka, and Fragkiskos Koutentakis, alongside academics such as Nikos Marantzidis, Aris Stylianou, and Leonidas Makris. Nikos Bistis and Giorgos Siakantaris also play important roles, with the latter overseeing the programmatic text for cooperation between the Left, Ecology, and Social Democracy.

From the younger generation, prominent roles will be held by Dionysis Temboneras, Petros Kokkalis, Miltos Chatzigiannakis, Giorgos Krikris, Ilias Moustairas, and especially Theoni Koufonikolakou, who handles public relations at the Tsipras Institute and has recently increased her public presence.

Others expected to join include figures from the “Ithaca” presentations such as artist and educator Eva Rentzou, political scientist Sotiris Tsoukarelis, lawyer Katerina Berdou, and actress Maria Katsoulidi.

Transfers

At the same time, the presence of Konstantina Spyropoulou at the Thessaloniki “Ithaca” event signaled the intention to attract figures from the broader center-left. Names such as Anna Papadopoulou and Antonis Saoulidis are frequently mentioned, along with local government figures from Attica.

Current SYRIZA MPs such as Olga Gerovasili, Katerina Notopoulou, and Simeon Kedikoglou maintain close ties, though joining the new party would require resignation from their parliamentary seats.

Karystianou’s momentum from the North

She is considering making official announcements in Thessaloniki — where Elliniki Lysi and Niki have strong support — She sees strong backing from women (60%, vs 40% men). Her weak point is older age groups.

Full unveiling of Karystianou’s party is expected in May. The countdown has begun, despite delays compared to her initial planning.

On April 1st, via social media, she announced her party with the slogan “We begin for Hope,” describing it as “an independent citizens’ movement born from the grassroots and our shared need for change.”

Nearly a month later, her core team remains unseen, though sources say the declaration with supporting signatures is close to completion.

The declaration will be released once it avoids “ideological constructs or divisive positions,” reflecting an effort to move away from controversy over her statements on abortion.

The aim is simple, accessible messaging, with “justice” as a central theme. Possible party names revolve around concepts like “hope,” “breath,” “tomorrow,” and “future.”

Poll readings are ongoing. While initial momentum has softened, her team claims recent surveys show her party competing strongly for second place, ahead of PASOK and Tsipras’s upcoming party.

Findings suggest strong support among women (60%), weaker performance among older voters, and strong results among ages 30–55. Northern Greece and the regions are key strongholds.

Thessaloniki launch

Karystianou is considering unveiling her party in Thessaloniki, where she lived until recently. According to her associates, she is not factoring in Tsipras’s timing, focusing instead on direct communication with citizens.

She is also collecting signatures, recognizing the difference between verbal support and formal backing.

The people

Her team is still fluid, with figures coming and going. It is believed she will not rely on well-known politicians with prior government roles.

Maria Gratsia and several Thessaloniki-based figures are among her early allies. Larger offices in Athens are being sought, while priority remains forming the electoral team.

A key role is held by Nikos Galanos, a former MP with a long political career, including involvement in the Special Court and the acquittal of Andreas Papandreou.

He later served in local government and lived for years in Australia before returning. He supports Karystianou’s initiative but does not wish to take an official role or run as a candidate.

In communications, journalist Thanasis Avgerinos has reportedly been approached, while Vasilis Kokotsakis, involved in the Tempi train crash investigation, is also close to the initiative.