SYRIZA Expels Nikolaos Farantouris Amidst Internal Strife
Greece's main opposition party, SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance, has expelled Member of European Parliament (MEP) Nikolaos Farantouris from its European Parliament group. The decision, finalized on January 7, 2026, by SYRIZA President Sokratis Famellos, marks the second high-profile expulsion from the party's European delegation within a month, signaling deepening internal turmoil for the left-wing party.
The expulsion of Farantouris stemmed from comments he made welcoming the potential formation of a new political movement by Maria Karystianou, a prominent advocate for the victims of the 2023 Tempi train disaster. SYRIZA stated that Farantouris was not 'clearly committed to representing SYRIZA voters' and demanded he relinquish his European Parliament seat. However, Farantouris has publicly refused to step down, asserting that his seat belongs to his voters and that he will continue his work as an independent MEP. He criticized SYRIZA for 'moving away from grassroots movements' and 'demonizing anything that constitutes mass citizen mobilization'.
Preceding Expulsion: The Case of Nikos Pappas
This latest expulsion follows the removal of another SYRIZA MEP, Nikos Pappas, in December 2025. Pappas, a former basketball star, was removed from the party's European Parliament group on December 19, 2025, after a violent altercation in Strasbourg where he assaulted a journalist. SYRIZA President Sokratis Famellos cited Pappas's 'unacceptable behavior' as the reason for his removal, and disciplinary proceedings were initiated for his full expulsion from the party.
SYRIZA's Shifting Political Landscape
These expulsions underscore a period of significant internal challenges for SYRIZA. The party, now led by Sokratis Famellos who was elected in November 2024, has been grappling with diminishing popularity and internal dissent. Once the governing party of Greece, SYRIZA has seen its electoral appeal erode and has lost its status as the main opposition group in the Greek parliament to PASOK due to a series of defections. The loss of both Pappas and Farantouris further reduces SYRIZA's presence within 'The Left in the European Parliament – GUE/NGL' group, impacting its influence in Brussels.
5 Comments
Katchuka
They are trying to regain focus. This is a necessary step.
KittyKat
SYRIZA is clearly trying to reassert control and direction under new leadership, which is understandable given their decline. However, these public expulsions could be perceived as heavy-handed and counterproductive to rebuilding trust.
Loubianka
MEPs must represent the party's voters, not their personal ambitions.
Eric Cartman
While party loyalty is crucial, expelling someone for merely welcoming a movement seems overly punitive. It highlights SYRIZA's struggle to balance internal unity with diverse opinions.
Stan Marsh
Unacceptable behavior like Pappas's deserves immediate expulsion.