Veteran MP Kastanidis quits PASOK, accuses leadership of exclusion
Former minister and long-serving Thessaloniki MP Haris Kastanidis has resigned from Greece’s main opposition party PASOK, accusing party leader Nikos Androulakis of political exclusion and internal marginalisation.
In his resignation letter, Kastanidis said he was leaving “the PASOK of Mr Androulakis” but not the party’s founding social democratic principles, stressing: “I do not resign from PASOK of democratic socialist ideas. I resign from Mr Androulakis’ party.”
He claimed he had been systematically sidelined after the 2023 elections, including exclusion from parliamentary representation in Thessaloniki and alleged pressure on local party organisations to avoid inviting him to events.
Kastanidis also criticised a recent party statute introducing term limits for MPs with retroactive effect, arguing it was designed to block his political return. He accused the leadership of inconsistency, noting that exemptions apply to former party leaders with long parliamentary careers.
He further rejected Androulakis’ argument that long parliamentary service fosters clientelism, calling it “offensive” and politically motivated.
The 70-year-old politician, first elected in 1981, said he remains proud of his record, citing contributions to anti-corruption legislation, the creation of Greece’s ombudsman, and the establishment of an anti-money laundering authority during his time as justice minister.
