Left-wing Syriza party has lost its position as Greece’s main opposition group in parliament after a wave of defections on Thursday, November 21.
According to AP News, the move has left socialist PASOK under the leadership of Nikos Androulakis to challenge the dominance of rightist Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his New Democracy party.
Two members of parliament, including Theodora Tzakri, announced on Thursday they were quitting the party, reducing Syriza’s number of deputies to 29 — less than the 31 seats held by PASOK.
“My decision to become an independent lawmaker is an act of self-respect and self-worth in my political journey so far,” Ms Tzakri said outside parliament after notifying the speaker of her decision.
“The actions and tactics of those who have proclaimed themselves the current owners and guardians of Syriza have already stripped the party of its role as the main opposition.”
This news comes after Syriza suffered disappointing election results in recent years, and defections to splinter groups. Former leader Stefanos Kasselakis formally quit the party in early December, and is expected to announce a breakaway party in the coming days.
The opposition shift will revive a more traditional battle for the political centre that dominated Greek politics before the 2009-18 debt crisis.
Source: AP News.
