Political shake-up in Greece’s “New Left”: MP split rumors intensify as party stability questioned

Political turbulence is growing within Greece’s left-wing opposition as reports suggest potential parliamentary defections from the New Left (Nea Aristera), raising questions about the party’s future in parliament.

According to Greek media reports and political commentary published in the “Power Games” column of Parapolitika, internal fragmentation within the party may accelerate following the anticipated formation of a new political initiative by former Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras.

The reports claim that several MPs could leave the New Left parliamentary group in the coming period, potentially reshaping the balance of forces within the Greek opposition.

Among the names mentioned in Greek press speculation is Özgür Ferhat, alongside other figures such as Alexis Haritsis and Efi Achtsioglou. However, none of the reported departures have been officially confirmed, and internal discussions are said to be ongoing.

The New Left currently holds 12 seats in the Hellenic Parliament. Under Greek parliamentary rules, a party must maintain at least 10 MPs to retain official group status, meaning that even a small wave of defections could significantly weaken its institutional presence.

The party itself emerged from a split within SYRIZA following ideological and organizational disagreements, and has since struggled to consolidate a unified political identity.

Reports also suggest diverging strategic orientations within the party: some members are reportedly open to cooperation with Yanis Varoufakis’s political platform, while others favor alternative alliances within the broader left-wing spectrum.

Another faction is said to support closer coordination with remaining SYRIZA-aligned structures in a smaller left coalition.

The unfolding developments highlight continued volatility within Greece’s left-wing political landscape, as parties emerging from SYRIZA’s fragmentation navigate leadership struggles, ideological divisions, and electoral strategy debates.