Efforts by a faction within SYRIZA to convene the party’s Political Secretariat on Friday, 10 July 2026, ended in failure. The meeting—scheduled for midday—did not achieve the required quorum of 17 out of 30 members, and instead devolved into an informal gathering of senior party figures. Although early reports suggested sufficient attendance, most members declined to attend, arguing that no official summons had been issued by Deputy Secretary Anastasia Sapouna, who has been acting as interim party leader following Sokratis Famellos’ resignation.
A Factional Initiative Falls Short
The initiative was led by MPs Pavlos Polakis and Nikos Pappas, with participation from Rena Dourou, Giannis Boulekos, and Giorgos Panagiotopoulos. They gathered at the party headquarters on Koumoundourou Street, entering the usual meeting room for the Political Secretariat. However, behind closed doors, no formal session took place—only an unofficial discussion among like-minded members ahead of Saturday’s crucial Central Committee meeting.
Leadership Vacuum Deepens
Sapouna was present in the building but did not join the gathering. She had already informed Central Committee members the previous evening that Saturday’s meeting would be cancelled—a decision immediately challenged by the internal minority. The widespread absence from Friday’s attempt underscored the deep institutional void and fragmentation now evident at SYRIZA’s headquarters. With Famellos gone, party organs lack a unified decision-making centre, while members leaning toward departure are increasingly disengaging from internal procedures altogether.
Kouvelis Affirms Central Committee Must Meet
Fotis Kouvelis, head of SYRIZA’s Ethics Committee, stepped in to break the impasse. Citing the party statute, he affirmed that the Central Committee is legally obligated to convene, as the request for its meeting had been signed by more than the required 25% of members. He confirmed that 73 signatures—well above the threshold—had been submitted. His intervention has paved the way for Saturday’s meeting to proceed as scheduled.