With an impressive 80% support from members of the new Central Committee, Stelios Kalpakis was elected as the new Secretary of SYRIZA – Progressive Alliance during a meeting held on Saturday afternoon (05.07.2025), with Anastasia Sapouna appointed as his deputy. Both candidates were previously proposed by the party’s President, Sokratis Famellos.
During the first session of the newly formed Central Committee, Famellos formally submitted his recommendations regarding key leadership positions, including the party spokesperson. After thanking the outgoing Secretary, Rania Svingou, for her positive contributions, he introduced Kalpakis and Sapouna as the ideal candidates to represent the modern face of SYRIZA.
The vote concluded with 217 votes in favor out of 271 total members present, reflecting strong consensus around the proposed leadership team. Additionally, Konstantinos Zacharidis was announced as the new Party Spokesperson, succeeding Giorgos Karameros, who was warmly thanked for his service over the past seven months.
Famellos emphasized that these changes ensure both renewal and experience within the party’s structure while maintaining ideological consistency. He declared, “SYRIZA has returned stronger, reinforced, and united,” reinforcing the party’s determination to confront the current government ahead of upcoming national elections.
In a pointed critique of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his administration, Famellos accused the ruling party of orchestrating a corrupt patronage system at the expense of Greek citizens, referencing the OPEKEPE scandal. He called for immediate resignations from implicated ministers and demanded early elections to pave the way for a progressive government capable of leading Greece toward renewal.
He also outlined a series of policy priorities for a potential SYRIZA-led government, including VAT reduction, breaking up banking cartels, protecting primary residences, restoring the 13th pension payment, and investing €2 billion into healthcare infrastructure. On foreign policy, Famellos criticized Greece’s stance under Mitsotakis, especially its silence on international law violations and ongoing humanitarian crises in Gaza.
Finally, he urged unity among progressive forces and condemned divisions within the opposition, insisting that strengthening SYRIZA remains the only viable path forward.