Rhodope MP Özgür Ferhat leaves New Left Party, becomes independent lawmaker
Özgür Ferhat, the Member of Parliament representing Rhodope in Western Thrace, has announced his resignation from the New Left party, declaring himself an independent lawmaker amid shifting political dynamics in Greece’s opposition landscape.
Ferhat’s departure was formally announced in the Greek Parliament on Friday, May 15, by Deputy Speaker Vasilis Villiaros, confirming his change of status in the parliamentary registry.
Following his resignation, the New Left party’s parliamentary group has been reduced to 11 MPs.
Political observers note that Ferhat is expected to align with a new political initiative reportedly being prepared under former Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras.
His potential shift had already been signaled earlier this month when he attended a public speech by Tsipras at the Rematia Theater in Halandri on May 11, where he was reportedly the only New Left MP present among party members.
The development comes at a time of increasing fluidity within Greece’s opposition spectrum, with analysts suggesting that internal realignments could reshape party balances ahead of future political contests.
Ferhat’s move is being closely watched in Western Thrace, where political representation of minority communities often intersects with broader national party dynamics in Greece.
Rhodope MP Özgür Ferhat has left Greece’s New Left party and become an independent lawmaker, amid reports he may join a new political formation linked to former PM Alexis Tsipras.
