Two more MPs Break from SYRIZA; PASOK Becomes Official Main Opposition Party

On Thursday morning, November 21, Greek MPs Theodora Tzakri and Giota Poulou announced their independence from the SYRIZA party, formally submitting their letters of resignation to the President of the Hellenic Parliament, Kostas Tasoulas.

With this move, PASOK now becomes the official opposition party, as it holds a greater number of MPs than SYRIZA.

Tzakri, speaking outside the Parliament, described her decision as “an act of self-respect and self-esteem,” criticising SYRIZA for becoming “controlled by mechanisms and bureaucrats” and for violating members’ constitutional rights. She added, “It ceased to be the party I joined in 2014,” and expressed hope that a more democratic and participatory political force would emerge in its place.

Following the departures, SYRIZA’s parliamentary representation drops to 29 MPs, while PASOK now has 31. This shift grants PASOK additional privileges, including the right for party leader Nikos Androulakis to address Parliament after the Prime Minister, along with access to the official office of the leader of the opposition. Furthermore, PASOK will have more resources and influence, such as additional staff and representation in parliamentary committees.

Although PASOK gains official opposition status, neither party holds the required number of MPs to propose significant motions, such as an impeachment or committee of inquiry.