Renewing the party’s internal culture, Rena Dourou, newly appointed president of SYRIZA’s Parliamentary Group, announced a new course of collective decision-making during her first meeting with parliamentary deputies on Thursday, 23 July 2026 — her first official engagement in the role. In a light-hearted gesture aimed at easing tensions, she distributed sweets ‘for what we’ve put you through over the past few months,’ joking that recent internal developments had been covered in the media ‘as if they were the U.S. presidential elections.’
A Break from Personality-Driven Politics
Dourou sent a clear signal that SYRIZA intends to move beyond the personal rivalries and factional infighting that dominated the party in recent months. ‘Putting individuals and roles front and center — that ended on Saturday,’ she stated, deliberately avoiding discussion of specific appointments or internal balances within the Parliamentary Group.
No Return to Individual Representation
When asked whether former MP Pavlos Polakis — who temporarily served as parliamentary spokesperson during a recent plenary session — could resume such duties, Dourou reiterated that the party has moved ‘beyond the logic of personalities,’ emphasizing instead collective representation.
Dialogue with Nikos Kotzias
Dourou also confirmed an earlier conversation she had held that same morning with former Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias. ‘I couldn’t not speak with him. He’s suffered enough, given his stature,’ she said, referencing a prior party congress resolution concerning Kotzias that was never implemented.
Open to Independent MPs — But Strategically
She left the door open to potential affiliations by independent MPs, saying SYRIZA is ‘working on it — but in a coordinated way.’ She acknowledged, however, that the party has ‘lost track’ of ongoing negotiations with independents. Regarding MP Nina Kasimati — currently in Cyprus — Dourou confirmed she has already spoken with her, adding that any formal decision would be made collectively by the Parliamentary Group.
Boycotting the Presidential Ceremony
Dourou addressed SYRIZA’s decision to skip the official ceremony at the Presidential Mansion marking the restoration of democracy. ‘This wasn’t a personal decision of mine,’ she stressed, explaining it was taken collectively to ‘honour places — not grass and shrimp.’ She added that the stance aligns with her long-standing personal choice not to attend the event.