MP Tzakri quits Kasselakis’ Democrats party over ‘rightward shift’

Theodora Tzakri, a lawmaker from northern Greece, resigned Sunday from Stefanos Kasselakis’ Democrats – Progressive Center party, citing what she described as the party leader’s ideological shift to the right.

In a lengthy statement, Tzakri, who served as the party’s vice president, said she could no longer support Kasselakis because of his “obvious shift to the right.” She said she would continue serving in Parliament as an independent lawmaker representing the northern regional district of Pella.

Kasselakis responded with a statement of his own, saying he had asked Tzakri to resign.

“The Democrats are entering a new phase, defining their political space within the liberal center of practical, results-oriented politics,” Kasselakis said.

Tzakri left the left-wing SYRIZA party in 2024 after Kasselakis lost the party leadership. She became a founding member and vice president of his new political movement, originally launched as the Movement for Democracy before being renamed Democrats – Progressive Center.

Kathimerini