Greek Opposition in Crisis as Syriza Implodes, Opening Door for Pasok

Greece's left-wing Syriza party is on the brink of collapse, potentially losing its position as the main opposition force and paving the way for the socialist Pasok party to take its place.

Syriza, which governed Greece from 2015 to 2019, has been in turmoil since its crushing defeat in the 2022 elections against current Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis's conservative party. The party's downward spiral began with the resignation of former leader Alexis Tsipras and accelerated with the chaotic tenure of Stefanos Kasselakis.

Kasselakis, a former Goldman Sachs trader and US expat, was unexpectedly elected to lead Syriza in September 2023. His leadership was marked by bitter infighting, culminating in his recent ousting through a vote of no confidence.

Adding to the drama, Syriza's Central Committee voted overwhelmingly to bar Kasselakis from running in the upcoming leadership contest, sparking outrage from his supporters. The decision followed a series of controversies, including accusations of authoritarian behavior, ideological differences with the party, and legal threats against Syriza itself.

Kasselakis remains defiant and vows to challenge the decision at an extraordinary party congress scheduled for November. However, the damage appears irreparable, with Syriza facing a potential split and the loss of its status as the leading opposition force.

Meanwhile, the socialist Pasok party, also undergoing a leadership election, is well-positioned to capitalize on Syriza's implosion. Pasok has already secured second place in voter polls and could gain further ground if Syriza loses parliamentary seats due to internal divisions.

The outcome of Syriza's leadership contest and Pasok's own internal elections could reshape the Greek political landscape, potentially establishing Pasok as the primary opposition to Mitsotakis's government.