Greek Parliament shrinks to 297 seats after Spartans MPs expelled
Greece’s Parliament will operate with 297 members for the first time in its modern history following the expulsion of three MPs from the far-right Spartans party, government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis announced on Tuesday. As a result, the parliamentary majority now stands at 149 seats—down from the usual 151.
Speaking to Skai Radio, Marinakis clarified that the decision to annul the election of the Spartans’ MPs, including party leader Vasilis Stigas, was made by the judiciary, not the government. “The legal framework allowing such action was passed during the previous parliamentary term,” he noted.
The Special Highest Court of Greece ruled that the Spartans misled voters during the 2023 elections. Though officially led by Stigas, the court found that the real influence behind the party was Ilias Kasidiaris—a jailed former deputy linked to the disbanded neo-Nazi Golden Dawn.
Also expelled were MPs Petros Dimitriadis and Alexandros Zerveas.
Marinakis downplayed concerns that the reduced majority might hinder key legislative processes. He emphasized that the government remains united, especially regarding the anticipated parliamentary inquiry into the deadly 2023 Tempe train crash. “I don’t believe any MP from our party would oppose referring [former transport minister] Mr Karamanlis to justice,” he said.
The decision marks a rare legal intervention in Greece’s parliamentary composition and raises fresh questions about the limits of democratic safeguards in the face of extremist political movements.
