Greek politician Stefanos Kasselakis praised the role of young voters in Zoran Mamdani’s recent mayoral victory in New York City, noting the 34-year-old candidate’s clean political image and forward-thinking program.
Speaking on the show Koinonia Ora Mega, Kasselakis emphasized that Mamdani succeeded against a system-embedded opponent with allegations of misconduct. “What we see is a new trend,” Kasselakis said. “Against the right-wing populism and the so-called progressive establishment, young people are bringing forward candidates with innovative economic ideas.”
Kasselakis also highlighted Mamdani’s policy proposals, including limits on rent increases and free public transport, which aim to ease the high cost of living in New York. “This may sound expensive, but it encourages people to switch from cars to buses and subways, improving transit speed and quality of life,” he explained.
With a population larger than the entire country of Greece and a city budget exceeding $100 billion, Kasselakis underlined the scale of the challenges Mamdani now faces. “You cannot live in a modern democracy and struggle just to make ends meet,” he added, framing Mamdani’s agenda as a response to pressing urban issues.
Meanwhile, former Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras framed Mamdani’s win as a broader victory against oligarchy. Writing on social media, he described the election as a triumph over “kleptocracy, political dynasties, and the expensive media systems that promote their interests.” Tsipras added that the result demonstrates that alternatives exist: “The inhumane capitalism, the subjugation of freedom to the profits of the oligarchy, the darkness of massive social injustice, and the disdain for democracy are not the only path. Hope, change, and justice are in the hands of citizens who choose to resist and claim a better future.”
