Members of main opposition SYRIZA party’s central committee on Sunday will cast secret ballots for or against a motion of censure against party President Stefanos Kasselakis, tabled a day earlier by 100 members, and following a marathon session of the internal party organ.
The vote is being held at a downtown Athens hotel where a two-day central committee session has convened. The voting ends in the early afternoon, with a result expected shortly thereafter.
In order for the motion of censure to be approved, it must receive 50% plus one of the total votes, namely, 148 of the 295 committee members. eligible to cast such a ballot.
The development is the latest instance of infighting and dissention within the once formidable leftist party, which formed a government between 2015 and 2019. If passed Kasselakis’ tenure as party leader will face an unceremonial end, however, even if the motion does not pass a further splintering of the party is likely.
Members of the same body on Saturday voted to hold a secret vote, rather than a public roll call vote.
