PASOK member Antonis Saoulidis resigns, citing leadership disagreements
Antonis Saoulidis has announced his resignation from PASOK, stepping down from both the party and his recent roles in its Central Committee and Political Council.
The resignation was communicated on the morning of Holy Tuesday (April 7, 2026) to party members, supporters, and leadership.
“Not Out of Weakness, But Consistency”
In his resignation letter, Saoulidis emphasized that his decision was driven by principle rather than pressure.
“I am not leaving out of weakness, but out of consistency,” he stated, signaling clear disagreement with the current direction of the party leadership.
He argued that the leadership has adopted a path that prevents him from remaining silent “without contradicting everything I have stood for.”
Sharp Criticism of Party Leadership
Saoulidis delivered pointed criticism of PASOK’s leadership, accusing it of resisting change and suppressing internal dissent.
He described a political environment where:
- New ideas are met with fear rather than openness
- Disagreement is treated as a threat
- Internal pluralism is increasingly restricted
“A leadership that fears the new and treats disagreement as a threat cannot inspire change,” he said.
Concerns Over Internal Democracy
The former party official warned that PASOK has become trapped in a system that does not tolerate clear opinions or alternative strategies, undermining its internal democratic processes.
He also criticized practices that, in his view, limit and ultimately neutralize internal diversity and dialogue within the party.
“I Leave the Mechanism, Not the Values”
Despite his departure, Saoulidis stressed that he remains committed to the ideological foundations of the movement.
“I am not abandoning our ideas and values. I am leaving a mechanism that no longer serves them,” he wrote.
Referencing the legacy of Andreas Papandreou, he reaffirmed his alignment with the party’s traditional social base, particularly non-privileged citizens and middle-class communities facing economic pressure.
Political Future Remains Open
Saoulidis concluded by stating that he will remain politically active, continuing his engagement with society outside the party structure.
His resignation highlights ongoing tensions within PASOK as it seeks to redefine its political direction in Greece’s evolving landscape.
