Greek opposition leader ousted amid party turmoil in 2023

Stefanos Kasselakis was removed from his position as the leader of the Syriza party through a no-confidence vote by the party's central committee, which took place on a Sunday after a two-day session. The vote concluded with 163 members in favor of the motion, while 120 opposed it, and three members voted blank. This decision came just a year after Kasselakis was elected, during which time he faced growing discontent from party members who accused him of authoritarianism and a lack of ideological alignment with Syriza's principles. Kasselakis, who had no prior connection to the party before his candidacy, initially garnered support as a charismatic figure following the party's significant electoral defeats in May and June 2023. However, his leadership style and heavy reliance on social media drew criticism, with some party members forming a splinter group called New Left. The party's declining electoral performance further eroded his appeal, leading to a perception shift among supporters. In response to the no-confidence vote, Kasselakis expressed feelings of liberation and criticized the party's bureaucracy for undermining the will of the party base. He also condemned the secret ballot process, advocating for an open vote instead. His supporters echoed his sentiments on social media, indicating a divide within the party. The central committee is now tasked with organizing an extraordinary party congress within three months, where potential leadership candidates will be presented. This congress will allow party members to vote for a new leader, marking a significant turning point for Syriza as it seeks to redefine its direction and leadership following Kasselakis' ousting.