One of the first to rush to sign a membership declaration for Maria Karystianou’s party, outside the “Olympion” in Thessaloniki, several hours before the start of the event presenting the new political formation, was psychiatrist Giorgos Syrpis, born in Katerini. He previously ran as a candidate with the “Niki” party of Dimitris Natsios, who comes from Moschoxori, just outside the capital of Pieria.

After Panagiotis Psomiadis, who went to Aristotelous Square, made statements and left, Mr. Syrpis was the second most well-known political figure to attend the launch of the “Hope for Democracy” party. The attendees at its founding event were not particularly surprising.

The psychiatrist–politician of “Niki”, Giorgos Syrpis, joined “Hope”, while actor and head of the “Poor Greece Movement”, Pavlos Kontogiannidis, spoke about alleged theft of intellectual property.

Even the previously announced surprise guest at the presentation, actress Katerina Moutsatsou, has as notable elements in her biography the viral video where she declares she is “Hellene” and her candidacy for the European Parliament with the drachma-supporting EPAM party. As for the main presenter and party executive, journalist and long-time Moscow correspondent Thanasis Avgerinos, he chose to send his messages through classic Russian literary figures – Tolstoy, Chekhov and Dostoevsky.

Before Mr. Syrpis, actor from 1980s video films Nikos Ziagos had already been presented as one of the known figures in Karystianou’s political formation.

Mr. Syrpis, however, has multiple roles: among other things, he is a co-founder of the website “Menoume Ekklisia” (“We Stay Church”), and a member of the Association for the Protection of the Unborn Child, aligning with those to whom Maria Karystianou had signalled when making her controversial statements on abortion. During the pandemic, the father of many children led a hunger strike of healthcare workers in Thessaloniki who were suspended for refusing vaccination.

He also supported MP Nikos Papadopoulos from the “Niki” party, who had made headlines for removing “blasphemous works” from the National Gallery in March 2025 and was later expelled from the parliamentary group. Papadopoulos had earlier supported Karystianou’s statements on abortion, calling it a “targeted setup”.

He was absent from the launch event, as sitting MPs are subject to incompatibility rules. He is also active on issues of new identity cards, having organised an event titled “No to the personal number, no more bowing our heads”.

Karystianou has also previously spoken at an event of the “Exodos” movement, which opposes digital identity reform.

With polling estimates around 21% and reports of strong support in northern Greece, the organisers chose the “Olympion” venue, comparing it to a previous Tsipras rally. However, on that evening, the hoped-for momentum did not materialise.

Notably absent were the families of Tempi victims, whom Karystianou had previously represented as head of their association.

Observers of Macedonia’s political landscape note that Karystianou’s views resonate with more conservative, church-aligned groups, and that in northern Greece, the far-right expresses itself through such formations. They also note growing support for her in this environment, alongside declining support for Natsios’ “Niki” party.

The article further mentions “Russian influences” in the audience, highlighting journalist Thanasis Avgerinos, who appeared wearing a T-shirt featuring three Russian literary giants and referenced Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment.

In the front row sat businessman Giannis Moysidis, closely linked to Karystianou through a personal relationship and their shared company.

He has business activity in Greece, the Netherlands, Hungary, the Czech Republic and the UAE, and previously served as an expert on the board of Russia’s state satellite services provider (Russian GPS), reportedly being the only non-Russian board member at the time.

Another participant, Stratos Siourdakis, has long-standing business ties in Russia and runs a Greek language centre in St. Petersburg as well as an online Russian language centre.

Photos: EUROKINISSI