Last-minute young candidate shakes race of Greek leftist Syriza presidency

A 35-year-old self-made businessman has caused turmoil in Greece’s main opposition Syriza party as on Tuesday, he is expected to officially announce his candidacy for the party’s presidency following the resignation of former prime minister Alexis Tsipras.

A Greek citizen who resides in Miami, US, Stefanos Kasselakis’ name flooded social media over the weekend.

Having a rich academic CV and a successful career in the shipping industry, Kasselakis is considered a self-made businessman willing to enter the race with another four candidates to replace Tsipras in the leadership of Greece’s main opposition.

Kasselakis also worked as a volunteer on the staff of then-Senator Joe Biden for the 2008 Presidential Election.

The internal elections are due in September, and the announcement of his candidacy has already shaken the Greek left as it was not expected.

Last July, Syriza experienced a shocking electoral defeat by the conservative New Democracy party (EPP), which led to Tsipras’ resignation.

To address the need for “new faces”, Tsipras included Kasselakis in the expatriate electoral list.

Before Kasselakis, critics estimated that former minister Efi Achtsioglou would likely win the internal elections, but now analysts suggest that balances may significantly change.

Read more: First candidate to replace Tsipras in Greek leftist Syriza emerges

Tsipras has said he will not support anyone and will keep his distance from the internal elections. However, there are growing rumours in Athens that he sees Kasselakis’ candidature positively.

Kasselakis’ liberal profile has not been unnoticed by the ruling New Democracy party, as PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis has always wanted to capture the liberal space in Greece’s political landscape.

(Sarantis Michalopoulos | EURACTIV.com)