The SYRIZA Central Committee meeting hangs in the balance after the party failed to agree on who has the authority to convene its internal bodies—triggering confusion over the proper procedure following Sokratis Famellos’s resignation. As a result, turnout for Saturday’s (11 July 2026) scheduled session at Karaiskaki Square and the Wyndham Grand Hotel in Athens has been sparse.
A Compromise Proposal Expected
Theophilos Xanthopoulos, as presiding member of SYRIZA’s Parliamentary Group, is expected to present a compromise initiative aimed at holding the Central Committee meeting next week.
Key Figures Present — But Not All Are On Board
So far, Paulos Polakis and Nikos Pappas have confirmed their attendance. Also reportedly en route or already on-site are Fotis Kouvelis, Stelios Pappas, and Eleni Akritha.
How the Standoff Escalated
The dispute erupted after Famellos stepped down. Two factions now clash over procedural legitimacy: Polakis and Pappas argue that a petition signed by 73 Central Committee members activates the relevant statutory provision—making the meeting mandatory. In contrast, deputy party secretary Anastasia Sapouna contests the process, claiming required formalities were not followed. She has proposed instead that the Central Committee meet on 18 July, convened by the Political Secretariat.
At stake goes beyond timing—it’s about the legal validity of any decisions taken. Even if the meeting proceeds, its outcomes risk being challenged by the opposing faction.
Internally, the battle continues over who will lead SYRIZA’s parliamentary group next—and this struggle is closely tied to the party’s broader strategic direction, especially in light of Alexis Tsipras’s new political initiative.