Next challenge: Maintain unity

For a democracy to function properly it needs not only an efficient government, but also a strong opposition able to offer, both in Parliament and elsewhere, constructive criticism and viable alternative solutions to the problems facing the country.

In the case of Greece, after the recent national polls, which led to the demise of the main opposition party SYRIZA, with its support dropping from 31.5% to just 17.8%, this necessary institutional process of checks and balances has been shaken.

The question now, after Sunday's election of Stefanos Kasselakis as the party's new leader, is whether the country's second largest political force will remain united and able to perform its institutional responsibilities as the main opposition.

It is becoming evident that the departure of Alexis Tsipras has left a void that is proving difficult to fill. There were...