Tsipras resigns, will not be a candidate for the new leadership of the party

"The new SYRIZA is the immediate priority," he stressed.

Emerging from a meeting of the SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance Executive Bureau, Alexis Tsipras announced at Zappeion on Thursday that he has decided to step down as the main opposition party’s leader and usher in a new cycle for SYRIZA.

“The new SYRIZA is the immediate priority,” he stressed.

“I understand the need for a new wave in SYRIZA. And I have decided to step aside so it can pass. I have confidence in the human resources of our party. In the inexhaustible forces of society and the Left. I therefore decided to propose the election of a new leadership by the members of the party, as stipulated in its constitution. An immediate recourse to the relevant procedures. In which, of course, I will not be a candidate. But I will be present before, during and after them,” he said.

Tsipras said that “the negative election result can and should be the start of it. The electoral body gave SYRIZA a double mandate. First, to respond to the role of main opposition. Which is always and de facto is the role of a party with potential to assume power. And secondly, to change drastically, if it wants to once again aspire to a governmental role with worth.”

He noted that “we must live up to this popular mandate. We must reorganise immediately and without any delay. Let’s not allow a single day to be lost, both in the confrontation with the New Democracy government and in the confrontation with our own weaknesses, ills and problems”.