On October 5, 2024, the leadership candidacy of ousted SYRIZA leader Stefanos Kasselakis was filed through a proxy rather than by Kasselakis himself, further escalating tensions within the already divided party. Member of Parliament Theodora Tzakri, a committed supporter of Kasselakis, submitted the necessary documents on his behalf. These included the required disclosures of Kasselakis’ income sources and a declaration of support from 87 SYRIZA members.
The use of 87 signatures notably mirrors the "Group of 87," whose actions contributed to Kasselakis' ousting, leading some to interpret the number as a provocative gesture. Tensions rose as Tzakri condemned perceived attempts to exclude Kasselakis loyalists from the forthcoming party congress and asserted the inevitability of Kasselakis’ "triumphal" re-election as leader in November.
In a separate development, Apostolos Gletsos, known both as the former mayor of Stylida and a popular former soap opera star, also declared his candidacy for the leadership. Gletsos announced he had secured 32 signatures of support, surpassing the minimum requirement of 30.