SYRIZA strife reshuffling political pack

The internal strife raging within main opposition SYRIZA, with the expulsion of top officials by new leader Stefanos Kasselakis causing aftershocks that are reverberating across the country’s political scene as the specter of a split looms and the creation of a new left-wing party is becoming increasingly likely.

First of all, ruling New Democracy is facing the unprecedented scenario of having essentially no main opposition party to contend with. In actuality, this would put the conservatives at risk of complacency and under the illusion that it will be able to proceed without difficulty. 

In this setting, New Democracy has to do three things, according to government sources in comments to Kathimerini.

First, it must remain focused on the task over which it will ultimately be judged and secondly contain any leaks to its right since the fear of a return of the Left has now dissipated.

At the same time, and this is the third gamble, it must keep its hold on the political center that has given it broad majorities in all elections since 2019.

However, no threat from the right is currently seen within the government, as it “will only materialize after a mistake by New Democracy” as what is taking shape is a realignment of power among the three far-right parties. The same sources told Kathimerini that what is required by the ruling party is “the need for stability” and “a strong government” because of the major international challenges.

On the other hand, the SYRIZA situation is increasing the pressure on center-left PASOK. The goal for Nikos Androulakis’ party is to become the main opposition in the polls and to secure this position in the European elections. A colleague of Androulakis told Kathimerini that PASOK’s main goal is to convey the message that it is an alternative to the government of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. If it does not achieves this, then turbulence will most likely follow.

The left of the spectrum is also affected by the new political scene that is likely to be formed. Communist KKE, which in any case recorded a rise in the recent local elections, is looking for electoral gains, while Zoe Konstantopoulou’s Course of Freedom party also seems capable of capitalizing on the SYRIZA conflict.

However, the creation of a new party by expelled SYRIZA officials cannot be taken out of the new equation, which would further shuffle the deck.