Rena Dourou was elected the new leader of the SYRIZA–Progressive Alliance Parliamentary Group, receiving seven votes from the party’s eight MPs. She now takes charge of the party’s significantly reduced parliamentary caucus following a series of recent defections.

Following her election, Dourou said:

“This is an extremely difficult period for SYRIZA, its members, and its supporters. The great Cretan writer’s words are more relevant than ever: ‘Love responsibility.’ I embrace that responsibility. We are taking on a responsibility that is even greater toward society and in light of the challenges we have faced and continue to face. With seriousness, comradeship, collective effort, and hard work, we are beginning the reorganization of the Parliamentary Group so that we can move swiftly toward SYRIZA’s renewal. There is room for everyone in the struggle ahead for the only party representing Greece’s renewalist and radical Left.”

Referring to those who have left the party since 2023, she added:

“I believe we must reach out to the men and women who, over the past three years, felt that SYRIZA was no longer their political home.”

Sole candidate after Polakis withdrew

Dourou became the only candidate after Chania MP Pavlos Polakis withdrew from the contest.

The MPs who participated in the vote were:

• Giannis Amanatidis
• Nikos Pappas
• Christos Giannoulis
• Theofilos Xanthopoulos
• Elena Akrita
• Vasilis Papaipiliou
• Rena Dourou herself

Leaving the voting room, Nikos Pappas said:

“I voted for Dourou. Polakis will continue to play a leading role.”

Polakis also cast his vote but declined to comment further, telling reporters only:

“We’ll talk at the Central Committee.”

Parliamentary group reduced to just eight MPs

Although the parliamentary group formally consists of 12 MPs, the recent wave of resignations over the past three days means that SYRIZA’s parliamentary force has effectively been reduced to just eight lawmakers, a sharp decline from the party’s former strength in Parliament.

The current Parliamentary Group consists of:

• Rena Dourou
• Pavlos Polakis
• Nikos Pappas
• Theofilos Xanthopoulos
• Christos Giannoulis
• Giorgos Papaipiliou
• Giannis Amanatidis

Former party leader Sokratis Famellos is reportedly awaiting the outcome of today’s Central Committee meeting before deciding his next steps, while MP Nina Kasimati has not yet revealed her intentions.

Ambiguity over election strategy

In a social media post published yesterday, Dourou said she firmly believes the party’s current crisis “can be reversed.” She added:

“The rebuilding of SYRIZA, the reorganization of its forces ahead of the upcoming elections—whether through a united progressive electoral ticket or independently—is the only path forward, and it must begin with the Parliamentary Group.”

However, her reference to either a joint progressive electoral alliance or an independent run has already sparked internal debate. Critics note that this wording appears to contradict the Central Committee’s decision last Saturday that SYRIZA should contest the next national elections independently.

Her comments are also seen as partially aligning with former leader Sokratis Famellos’ position while extending an olive branch to Alexis Tsipras, the newly formed ELAS political movement, and other progressive forces.

Power struggle shifts to the Central Committee

Attention now turns to today’s Central Committee meeting, which will elect the party’s new governing bodies and electoral committee.

Many expect Pavlos Polakis to play a key leadership role there.

The Central Committee serves as SYRIZA’s highest decision-making body between party congresses. In recent months it has demonstrated its influence by removing Stefanos Kasselakis as party leader and overturning Sokratis Famellos’ decision to support ELAS, illustrating its ability to shape the party’s future direction.

Within the party, Nikos Pappas is expected to seek the position of party secretary while advocating a model of collective leadership. Dourou, meanwhile, emphasizes the party’s constitution and the role of the Political Secretariat as the party’s leadership body in the event of a president’s resignation.

The outcome of today’s Central Committee meeting is expected to determine the new balance of power within SYRIZA.