Significant developments have emerged in SYRIZA during the summer, as Othon Iliopoulos has submitted his resignation as a member of parliament for the party via a letter to the President of the Hellenic Parliament.
In his letter, Mr. Iliopoulos emphasizes:
“I hope that my resignation will not deprive my fellow expatriates of their opportunity for representation, as I step down in favor of the elected President of SYRIZA, Stefanos Kasselakis. This reflects the aspirations of thousands of SYRIZA voters abroad who desire their voice in the Greek Parliament to be represented by one of their own.”
While the entry of Stefanos Kasselakis into Parliament necessitates a domino effect of resignations, given that the SYRIZA president is currently ranked ninth on the state ballot, Mr. Iliopoulos’s intention is clear.
Sources report that Popi Tsapanidou is likely to take over Othon Iliopoulos’s position.
Othon Iliopoulos’s Letter
In the 2023 elections, Alexis Tsipras entrusted me with the lead position on the SYRIZA – Progressive Alliance state ballot as a representative of the expatriate Greek community.
In this role, I had the responsibility to defend in the Hellenic Parliament SYRIZA’s vision for a democratic and socially just Greece.
I actively participated in discussions regarding the proposed electoral law, advocating for immediate voting and candidacy rights for expatriate Greeks. We believed that their votes should not be simply “lent” to Greek political parties.
I also actively participated in discussions on education sector reforms, arguing for the strengthening of public and free education, research funding transparency, and the modernization of programs.
I have deeply mourned and continue to lament the collapse of the public healthcare system. I have proposed specific measures for a comprehensive and holistic public healthcare program.
Through my parliamentary work and research, I have collaborated on numerous occasions, submitting questions, engaging in public dialogues, and contributing to television and print media discussions. I also worked with the SYRIZA Secretariat for Expatriate Hellenism to develop positions reflecting the concerns of our compatriots abroad regarding language learning, Greek-speaking education, and cultural connection.
I have fulfilled my parliamentary duties with enthusiasm and dedication while continuing my research career. I lead a specialized clinic and manage a laboratory funded by the US National Institutes of Health, working to discover new cancer therapies.
However, the evolving political landscape and the defense of citizens’ rights require a more sustained presence in Greece.
Faced with these challenges and mindful of my responsibilities, I hereby resign from my position as a state member of parliament.
The SYRIZA-PS state ballot in the 2023 elections featured prominent figures from the political and social spheres. My fellow candidates, both inside and outside Parliament, continue to fight for a modern and just Greece.
I hope that my resignation will not deprive my fellow expatriates of their representation, as I step down in favor of the elected President of SYRIZA, Stefanos Kasselakis. This reflects the aspirations of thousands of SYRIZA voters abroad who desire their voice in the Greek Parliament to be represented by one of their own.
I remain a committed member of the SYRIZA PROGRESSIVE ALLIANCE Central Committee and will continue to fight for a democratic socialist society, both in Greece and abroad.
Thank you for your support during my time in Parliament.
Read the full letter from Iliopoulos here.