Nearly two years after resigning from active politics, former Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has re-entered the public spotlight—this time with a speech that has reignited speculation about a possible return to party leadership and the national political stage.
The occasion was the second conference of the Tsipras Institute for Peace, held on Tuesday night at the Athens Concert Hall. Before a packed auditorium of supporters, intellectuals, and former party officials, Tsipras delivered a nearly hour-long keynote that many observers viewed as his most direct political intervention since stepping down in the summer of 2023, according to an article by Giannis Ziotas. He called for the creation of “a new movement” and “a new vision for democracy and justice,” signaling a shift from observer to potential actor once again.
From Power to Political Wilderness
Tsipras served as Greece’s prime minister from 2015 to 2019, rising to prominence as the charismatic leader of SYRIZA, the left-wing party that came to power amid the country’s financial crisis. Once a symbol of resistance to EU-imposed austerity, Tsipras ultimately agreed to a third bailout package, a decision that split his party and his base. SYRIZA lost power in 2019 to the center-right New Democracy party, led by current Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
After a second electoral defeat in 2023 and SYRIZA’s collapse into internal division and poor polling performance, Tsipras resigned as party leader, saying it was time for a new generation to take over. However, in the years since, SYRIZA has struggled to redefine itself. Leadership changes have failed to unite its fractured base, and the party now polls in the single digits—far below its former influence.
A Room Full of Allies—and Questions
Tsipras’s appearance this week was met with enthusiasm from his political allies, many of whom have been critical of SYRIZA’s current direction. Attendees included key former ministers, members of parliament, academics, and international guests such as U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, who joined remotely and condemned global authoritarianism and inequality.
Tsipras spoke of building a new “patriotic movement” to stand against oligarchy and political complacency. While he stopped short of announcing a political comeback, he made it clear that the current state of affairs in Greece demands new leadership and a renewed progressive vision. “We’ve done it before—we can do it again,” he told the crowd, referencing his past political successes and setting the tone for a possible return.
Why This Matters
With Greece’s political left in disarray and the ruling New Democracy facing growing public frustration over economic inequality, migration, and climate issues, Tsipras’s return could reshape the electoral landscape ahead of the next national elections. For now, however, he is playing his cards carefully, says Ziotas.
“He delivered the message he wanted,” one attendee said, noting that while no formal announcement was made, the former prime minister had laid out a clear case for renewed political engagement.
A Calculated Silence
Whether Tsipras will attempt to reclaim leadership of SYRIZA—or build something entirely new—remains unclear. Recent polls show that voter bases are broadly against him starting a new party. But as one observer noted, “The plan is ready. Only the timing and method remain.” For many on Greece’s left, Tsipras is still seen as the only figure capable of uniting a splintered opposition and challenging the dominance of the conservative government.
In the meantime, the government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis appears to be taking no chances. Officials have already placed Tsipras back in the frame as a potential rival—proof that, even without a formal comeback, his political shadow looms large.
