Two new political parties are expected to stir the political landscape in Greece and put pressure on ruling New Democracy that does not appear to reach a majority or single party government in the upcoming elections.
These two political parties target the so-called progressive center-left as well as the conservative right-wing voters.
Former prime minister, from left-wing SYRIZA, Alexis Tsipras, said over the weekend to announce his own party on May 26, while Maria Karystianou, the mother of one of the victims of the Tempi train tragedy, will announce her party on May 21, 2026.
Tsipras, the return
Alexis Tsipras set May 26th as the date for the official presentation of his new political party. With the slogan “Now is the time” on a social media port, the former PM attempts to express a progressive, governmental alternative. This move is already causing strong shifts in executives and intense mobility behind the scenes.
Tsipras’ party is expected to put pressure on SYRIZA that does not do well in public opinion polls, anyway. Analysts alleged that his party will attract voters from SYRIZA, PASOK and ….
Karistianoy: the mother of Tempi victims
The program of Maria Karystianou is not known yet but it is also a question on whether voters in Greece still cast their vote according to programs of political parties.
Maria Karystianou became a public figure as president of the Tempi victims’ families, demanding Justice for the deaths of their 57 beloved ones.
Over the weekend, Karyastianoy presented some of her top co-workers among them some Greeks living in Russia. That was the reason for the prompt reaction of ND’s Health Minister to allege her party is suspiciously close to Russia.
Karystianou’s party is expected to attract voters from conservative New Democracy who are disappointed from the high cost of living and the involvement of ND officials in corruption scandals.
SYRIZA, ex PM Samaras
Meanwhile, the former ruling party 2015-2019 SYRIZA appears to be in a state of disintegration and reach an all-time low in polls and in deep internal turmoil.
Over the weekend, party leader Sokratis Famellos expelled one of the founding members Pavlos Polakis from the Parliamentary Group over a critical approach by the latter..
Famellos decision triggered strong reactions within the party, its MPs seem to look forward for the new political formations and so do its voters.
At the same time, rumors persist that the former New Democracy PM, Antonis Samaras may indeed form his own party. Samaras was expelled from ND by Kyriakos Mitsotakis in November 2024, who was unable to digest the criticism of the former Premier.
Samaras party may also attract a number of voters of Karamanlis’s front within New Democracy as both ex ND Premiers have openly distanced themselves from Mitsotakis’ policies.
Mitsotakis; A angry at high cost of living
During the 3-day New Democracy convention in Thessaloniki, ministers and MPs praised the positive development course Greece is recording under the rule of Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
The Premier himself stressed in one of his speeches that he was angry at the high cost of living.
PS Now his voters expect to tame the high prices once he becomes Prime Minister in the upcoming elections officially scheduled in spring 2027 but according to latest scenarios they may take place late September or October 2026.
