Internal turbulence has shaken the newly formed political movement Elpida gia ti Dimokratia (Hope for Democracy), barely a month after its launch. Following the high-profile departures of Vasilis Kokotsakis and retired Air Force General Athanasios Papanikolaou, founding member Maria Karystianou issued a new statement reaffirming the movement’s foundational principle: that it belongs not to leaders or committees, but to workers, pensioners, and every citizen who refuses to remain a passive observer.
Kokotsakis’ Departure Sparks Controversy
In her latest post, Karystianou addressed Kokotsakis’ exit — which she described as having occurred without warning, prior consultation, or discussion. Notably, his resignation letter was made public on the same day the movement officially launched its website — a timing she called significant and troubling.
Karystianou characterized the reasons cited in Kokotsakis’ departure as “vague, clearly premature, and unjustified”, adding that they lack any concrete incident to support them. She stressed that the resignation came precisely when the movement is calling on society at large to join and co-create its structure — a process meant to be driven by the many, not the few.
A Movement Built by Citizens
Highlighting the website’s launch, Karystianou declared it a milestone for democracy: “Today is a wonderful day for democracy. Today, the official website of the ‘Hope for Democracy’ movement went live — and its doors opened to every citizen.”
She emphasized that registration is now open, marking the start of what the movement promised from day one: a truly grassroots initiative shaped collectively. “This movement does not belong to leaders. It does not belong to committees. It does not belong to those who happened to arrive first in the room. It belongs to the worker, the mother, the young person, the pensioner — to every citizen who refuses to be a spectator and chooses instead to participate.”
According to Karystianou, the movement’s statutes and governing bodies will emerge directly from this broad citizen participation — transparently and democratically — ensuring the highest possible level of representation.
Next Steps: Building Democratic Structures
With registrations already underway, the next phase includes forming the movement’s Provisional Political Council and other central organs. These bodies will lead the movement’s efforts and organize the democratic processes culminating in its first official Congress.
Karystianou underscored that this participatory model is not a future promise — it is an immediate, practical decision. “A genuinely democratic movement treats everyone equally: without discrimination, without exception.”