Greek parliament shifts: SYRIZA loses opposition role amid new parties and resignations

Greek Parliament in Flux: SYRIZA Loses Opposition Role and New Parties Emerge
The political scene in Greece is undergoing dramatic shifts, altering power dynamics and roles initially defined in the June 2023 elections. For the first time in modern Greek history, SYRIZA has lost its position as the main opposition party without elections taking place. Meanwhile, new parties such as the Democracy Movement, founded by Stefanos Kasselakis, are reshaping the political landscape.

In the past 17 months, 32 MPs have declared independence from six parties, with SYRIZA and the Spartans contributing the most to this figure. SYRIZA has also seen two leadership changes during this period, with Sokratis Famellos elected as its new leader on Sunday.

Key Developments:

1. SYRIZA’s Fragmentation:
   SYRIZA has lost 18 MPs this term. Eleven left to form the New Left, while others joined Kasselakis’ Democracy Movement. Despite these defections, Kasselakis’ party needs 10 MPs to establish a formal parliamentary presence.
2. New Political Dynamics:
   The political field now includes four parties spun off from SYRIZA: New Left, MeRA25, Zoe Konstantopoulou’s Plefsi Eleftherias, and Kasselakis’ Democracy Movement. PASOK has emerged as the official opposition, benefiting from SYRIZA’s decline.
3. Parliamentary Power Shift:
   PASOK gains increased privileges as the new main opposition party, including greater representation in parliamentary committees and leadership roles. Meanwhile, other parties like the Spartans face internal crises, risking their parliamentary presence.
4. ND’s Resilience:
   Despite internal challenges, New Democracy has maintained cohesion, with potential reintegration of members after key budget votes.

The Map of Independent MPs

• From SYRIZA (7): Athina Linou, Rallia Christidou, Alexandros Avlonitis, Petros Pappas, Kyriaki Malama, Theodora Tzakri, Giota Poulou.
• From Spartans (7): Haris Katsivardas, Giorgos Manousos, Giannis Dimitrokallis, Dionysis Valtogiannis, Giorgos Aspiotis, Michalis Gavgiotakis, Konstantinos Floros.
• From New Democracy (3): Marios Salmas, Lefteris Avgenakis, Antonis Samaras.
• From Plefsi Eleftherias (2): Michalis Chourdakis, Areti Papaioannou.
• From Greek Solution (1): Pavlos Sarakis.
• From PASOK (1): Bourhan Baran.

Main Opposition Party Transition to PASOK
Last Friday, SYRIZA officially lost its title as the main opposition party, which passed to PASOK. This marks the first time in Greece’s post-dictatorial history that the title has been lost without elections. PASOK now holds 31 MPs compared to SYRIZA’s 29, making Nikos Androulakis the leader of the official opposition, granting him symbolic, parliamentary, and functional privileges.

As the main opposition leader, Androulakis gains speaking priority after the Prime Minister, increased parliamentary representation, and additional staffing privileges. PASOK also enhances its presence in key parliamentary committees, including an extra vice-presidency in the Committee on Institutions and Transparency and more seats in the Conference of Presidents.

Additionally, PASOK will replace SYRIZA’s member on the “Pothen Esches” (asset declaration) committee. With this change, PASOK strengthens its role as a counterweight to the ruling government.

This evolving scene underscores significant fragmentation within Greek politics, with implications for parliamentary stability and governance.

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