The first elected SYRIZA–Progressive Alliance MP to resign, around 40 days after the creation of Alexis Tsipras’s ELAS movement, has become a reality.

East Attica MP Giorgos Karameros informed party leader Socrates Famellos by telephone and in writing on the morning of Saturday, 4 July, that he was resigning both his parliamentary seat and all party positions.

The first runner-up candidate in the East Attica constituency is Christos Spirtzis, who is next in line to take the seat.

In the written statement announcing his resignation, the journalist, who comes from a political ecology background, explained the reasons behind his decision.

“I joined the party, stood as a candidate and was elected as a new MP in 2023. I unexpectedly found myself on the front line and remained steadfast despite everything that has happened. I will continue to remain on the front line, but as an active citizen, a simple ‘foot soldier’ in the necessary, victorious progressive alliance of social democracy, the Left and political ecology, which reflects the values and political representation that matter to me.”

Explaining why he chose to resign from Parliament rather than simply become an independent MP, Karameros said:

“Greece’s democracy requires not only political change but also a change in the way politics is conducted. As a minimum example of that principle, I have chosen to return my parliamentary seat to the party, because power, in whatever form, is not a possession but a trust. I am not walking away. I will continue to fight for that trust with respect for everyone.”

Referring to ELAS and Alexis Tsipras, he added:

“In my value system, words have no meaning unless they are matched by actions that validate them. Consistency, credibility and dignity are non-negotiable principles. From the outset, I argued that Alexis Tsipras’s initiative, and subsequently the establishment of ELAS, created new prospects for Greece. I continue to support that initiative, and my political conviction is now even stronger. I therefore do exactly what I said I would do. I respect Parliament and the way it functions. It is the heart of our democratic system.”