Polakis steps aside

Pavlos Polakis, the SYRIZA MP for Chania, announced on July 17 that he was withdrawing his candidacy for the presidency of the party's parliamentary group. The decision came just two days after his allies had called on Rena Dourou to withdraw from the race. Polakis posted a traditional Cretan mantinada on social media, hinting at internal party machinations.

“My road was the same / and always remains the same... / and they don't fit on my road / the commands of others! / Greetings from Sfakia to all the good ones! / The others, whatever they do, don't touch us because they showed their true stature and moral standing.... / WE WILL CONTINUE”

He stated that the conditions for a unanimous choice for the parliamentary group leadership did not exist and warned that he would speak again at the Central Committee meeting on Saturday. Reports indicate Polakis will not attend the Political Secretariat meeting on July 17 and will not seek any other role or office in the Central Committee.

Dourou's path to leadership

With Polakis's withdrawal, Rena Dourou became the sole candidate. The vote, now a formality, will take place on Saturday, July 18, from 09:00 to 11:00 in the Greek Parliament, as announced by the new parliamentary group secretary Giannis Amanatidis. Most of the remaining SYRIZA MPs are expected to back Dourou.

Dourou described the moment as a "new beginning" for SYRIZA and left all options open for the party's electoral strategy. She said the party could go to elections "either with a united, progressive ticket or autonomously." Her remarks come after a wave of resignations and departures that have shaken the party.

Party in turmoil

The leadership contest unfolded against a backdrop of mass exits from SYRIZA. Polakis himself had been reinstated to the parliamentary group only earlier in the week after a previous expulsion. The internal strife has raised questions about the party's direction, and with a full leadership election unlikely to be held next month, the parliamentary group president may informally act as the party's head.

What comes next

Polakis's withdrawal, accompanied by sharp criticism of party figures, suggests that internal tensions are far from resolved. His promise to address the Central Committee on Saturday keeps the spotlight on the party's divisions. Dourou, meanwhile, must navigate a fractured parliamentary group and decide whether to pursue a broader progressive alliance or an independent course in the next elections.