Twenty-two former officials of the Hope for Democracy party have issued a joint statement criticizing leader Maria Karystianou and announcing their resignation. The group cited a lack of democratic procedures, an absence of transparency, and centralized party operations as the main reasons for their exit.
The signatories include prominent members Thanasis Avgerinos, Katerina Moutsatsou, and Vassilis Kokotsakis. They stated that their departure is a conscious political decision rather than an attempt to pursue personal ambitions or claim official roles.
In their statement, the former members rejected accusations that they left after being denied party offices. They asserted that they did not resign due to a lack of positions, unfulfilled requests for office, or an inability to handle party duties, but because they refused to accept practices that conflicted with the founding principles of the party.
Allegations of Centralization and Lack of Transparency
The departing officials explained that Hope for Democracy was initially established as a citizens movement where decisions were meant to be made transparently with active participation from the grassroots level. They said the project was intended to bring public demands for truth, justice, and accountability to the political arena to combat systemic political decay.
However, the former members claimed the party subsequently drifted from its founding ideals by concentrating decision-making authority within a small circle of individuals. They stated that collective processes were replaced by a centralized model of decision-making that lacked institutional and democratic legitimacy.
According to the statement, internal party operations became dominated by court dynamics, internal mechanisms, and behind-the-scenes rivalries. The signatories emphasized that differing opinions should not be viewed as hostile acts, noting that criticism is not treason, disagreement is not sabotage, and resigning does not represent a flaw in character.
They added that individuals who leave an organization because they cannot support a flawed reality do not need to defend their dignity. Instead, the former officials maintained that resigning under such conditions demonstrates consistency with their original beliefs.
Questions Directed to Party Leadership
The signatories called on party leadership to provide clear answers regarding how the organization is run. They asked who makes critical decisions, what procedures are used, who exercises oversight, how the membership participates, how transparency is guaranteed, and what objective criteria are used to select officials and candidates.
They stressed that a democratic organization must be judged by how it is organized and managed, not just by its stated goals. They stated that candidate evaluations, leadership elections, and decision-making must be governed by clear, objective, and transparent rules established in advance.
Addressing comments by Maria Karystianou regarding member departures, the former officials argued that leaving the party does not mean abandoning its founding values. They stated that they left because those values were no longer being served by the current leadership structure.
The group acknowledged that while leaving shows a person's character, it demonstrates whether an individual remains in a party solely to retain a position or leaves when actions no longer align with principles. They noted that most signatories already had established professional and public careers prior to joining the movement and did not need the party for public visibility.
Escalating Internal Crises and Political Council Response
The joint statement followed public disputes between party leadership and Thanasis Avgerinos, alongside a series of resignations from party ranks. Prior to the joint statement, the Political Council of Hope for Democracy issued a statement accusing departing members of a coordinated effort to undermine the party and usurp its leadership.
Thanasis Avgerinos responded to the Political Council allegations through a post on social media. The former officials stated that they do not seek personal conflict with Maria Karystianou or anyone else, but are seeking answers about the real position of citizens within the movement.
The group affirmed that they have not abandoned the demand for transparency, social justice, or the citizens who sought political change. They stated that these principles belong to society rather than any individual or party apparatus, adding that they will continue to serve them independently. They concluded by asking the public to judge them based on their statements and actions, asserting that democracy does not fear those who refuse to stay silent.
List of Resigned Officials
The joint statement was signed by 22 former party members, listed in order of their departure:
- Vassilios Kokotsakis
- Athanasios Avgerinos
- Nikos Zarkadoulas
- Angeliki Lenakaki
- Athanasios Tzouganatos
- Takis Kotsiorgios
- Achilleas Robogiannrakis
- Ilias Michalas
- Katerina Sotirakou
- Konstantinos Vamvakas
- Manolis Sofoulis
- Stavros Stavroulakis
- Giannis Fronimakis
- Katerina Moutsatsou
- Iason Bageris
- Ioannis Lainas
- Panagiota Kapou
- Giannis Grigoriou
- Iro Vourdoumba
- Panagiotis Pantelakis
- Dimitris Klothakis
- Maria Paizaki
