Tensions within Greece’s SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance party are reaching a boiling point after party leader Sokratis Famellos openly dismissed rumors that former prime minister Alexis Tsipras may form a new political party.
Speaking at the 89th Thessaloniki International Fair, Famellos called the breakup scenarios “unthinkable,” warning there is “no room for further fragmentation,” while also describing Tsipras as a “valuable asset” for Greece’s progressive movement.
Famellos’ approach—described by insiders as “comradely strangulation”—seeks to embrace Tsipras tightly within SYRIZA’s framework, effectively blocking any independent initiative. However, the party’s hardliners believe Famellos should have taken a firmer stance, while Tsipras loyalists interpret the comments as pressure rather than reconciliation.
Prominent figures such as MP Christos Giannoulis and former minister Pavlos Polakis voiced concern over the center-left’s future, rejecting “splits and personal agendas.” Whether Tsipras will ultimately pursue a new political venture remains uncertain, but analysts suggest the coming weeks will determine whether SYRIZA maintains its unity or faces a historic fracture.
