Four contenders for main opposition SYRIZA party’s helm held a televised debate on Wednesday evening, although deposed president Stefanos Kasselakis was not among them, having been excluded from the race by a majority decision of central committee members.
The four candidates for the post included former minister and current MP Socrates Famellos, another one-time minister and outspoken lawmaker Pavlos Polakis, television actor and ex-Stylida township mayor Apostolos Gletsos and finally, MEP Nikolas Farantouris.
The debate was shown live by state broadcaster ERT News and came ahead of yet another internal party race for president.
Leftist SYRIZA has been plagued by splintering, defections and a collapse in terms of voter approval ratings since the 2023 general election. If another MP leaves the party, then it will lose its official designation in Parliament as the main opposition – a prospect that now appears on the horizon.
