SYRIZA leader Stefanos Kasselakis ousted by no-confidence vote

Stefanos Kasselakis, the leader of the Greek opposition party SYRIZA, was removed from his position by a no-confidence vote from the party’s central committee on Sunday, September 8.

This decision comes just one year after Kasselakis was elected by party members who initially accused him of being an authoritarian and misaligned with the party’s core values.

The vote followed a heated two-day debate within the committee, resulting in a 163-120 decision to dismiss Kasselakis. Three members cast blank votes, while eight others chose to abstain.

Είμαι λυτρωμένος.
Διότι είδαν όλοι οι πολίτες τη μομφή που ζω από την πρώτη μέρα που ψηφίστηκα.

Είναι πρωτοφανές στην πολιτική ιστορία του τόπου η κομματική γραφειοκρατία να μην αποδέχεται από την πρώτη κιόλας μέρα τη ψήφο των μελών του κόμματος.

Έτσι πέρασα έναν ολόκληρο… pic.twitter.com/DDXIgboWb5

— Stefanos Kasselakis – Στέφανος Κασσελάκης (@skasselakis) September 8, 2024

Dissatisfaction surrounding Kasselakis came after many former supporters, who once saw him as a dynamic leader poised to revitalise the party, began to view him as someone attempting to centralise control and steer the party for his personal benefit.

In response to the vote, Kasselakis expressed a sense of liberation but did not indicate whether he plans to participate in future leadership contests.

“Now, the people know how I felt censured ever since I was elected,” Kasselakis said.

Source: AP News.