Kasselakis throws gauntlet at party detractors

SYRIZA leader Stefanos Kasselakis has challenged his opponents within the party to field a rival candidate for a new leadership contest.

"I am ready. Let's get done with the minor [issues] in order to face the major [ones], [Prime Minister Kyriakos] Mitsotakis' right-wing. Find me an opponent. Find me an opponent and let's go," Kasselakis said in an impassioned, aggressive speech on the first day of the leftist opposition party's congress.

"Those who believe I was planted into SYRIZA's leadership, they will see my roots. I appeal to my roots: SYRIZA's members and people," he said earlier.

Kasselakis, a 35-year-old businessman without prior political experience, was surprisingly elected leader of the main opposition party in September 2023. A viral video presenting himself and his candidacy a few weeks ahead of the election had helped, but, even more so, it was...