Coalition of the Radical Left – Progressive Alliance

Coalition of the Radical Left – Progressive Alliance is a centre-left political party in Greece. Formed in 2024 as the successor to the Coalition of the Radical Left (SYRIZA), it represents a strategic shift towards a broader social democratic and progressive platform. The party is a member of the Party of European Socialists and its MEPs sit with the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats group in the European Parliament.

History

The party was officially founded on 9 June 2024, following a pivotal congress of the former Coalition of the Radical Left. This transformation was spearheaded by then-leader Stefanos Kasselakis, who argued for a modernization of the party's identity after its defeat in the 2023 elections. The rebranding aimed to move beyond the party's roots in the debt crisis era and the 2015-2019 government under Alexis Tsipras. The change occurred amidst significant internal debate, with some factions, including the former Left Platform, opposing the shift from a radical left coalition to a unitary social democratic party. The new formation contested its first national election in the 2024 European Parliament election.

Ideology and political position

The party's ideology is defined as modern social democracy, progressivism, and staunch Pro-Europeanism. It has explicitly moved from the eurocommunist and democratic socialist positions historically associated with the Coalition of the Radical Left. Key policy pillars include strengthening the welfare state, protecting labor rights, advancing LGBT rights, and promoting green transition policies. It maintains a critical but constructive stance towards the European Union, advocating for deeper social integration and reform of EU fiscal rules. The party positions itself in opposition to the governing New Democracy party of Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

Electoral performance

The party's electoral debut was the June 2024 European election, where it received 14.9% of the vote, securing 2 seats in the European Parliament and finishing as the third-largest Greek party. In the preceding June 2023 national election, its predecessor, the Coalition of the Radical Left, had won 17.8% and 48 seats in the Hellenic Parliament, forming the official opposition. Historically, the coalition achieved its highest vote share (36.3%) in the January 2015 election, leading to the formation of the first Syriza-led government with the ANEL party.

Organization and structure

The party operates as a unitary political organization, a departure from the federated coalition structure of the original Coalition of the Radical Left. Its supreme body is the Congress, which elects the Political Council and the President. The Political Council serves as the main executive decision-making body between congresses. The party maintains a significant presence in the Greek regions through local branches and offices. It is financially supported by state funding based on electoral performance and member contributions. The party's youth wing is the Youth of SYRIZA – Progressive Alliance.

Leadership and prominent figures

The founding President of the party is Stefanos Kasselakis, a former shipping executive and Greek-American businessman who was elected leader of SYRIZA in September 2023. Other prominent figures include Nikos Pappas, a former minister under Alexis Tsipras; Euclid Tsakalotos, former Finance Minister; and Olga Gerovasili, who served as a government spokesperson. In the European Parliament, its delegation is led by former Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, who serves as an MEP and president of the party's parliamentary group in the Hellenic Parliament.

Category:Political parties in Greece Category:Social democratic parties in Greece Category:2024 establishments in Greece