In a jubilant atmosphere, Alexis Tsipras unveiled his new party in a surprise name: “ELAS – Hellenic Leftist Coalition”.

Crowds had gathered from early Tuesday evening (26.5.26) at Thiseio waiting for the former Prime Minister and former President of SYRIZA to take to the specially designed podium to present the party’s founding declaration and its name. Moreover, the colours were known, Alexis Tsipras himself had revealed that the colours would be “the blue of the homeland and the red of the struggles”. Of course, no one expected and few knew the name of the new political project.

From the beginning of his speech, the former prime minister tried to give his return the character of a social necessity.

“The great day has arrived. The wait is over,” he said, describing the new venture as a response to the call of citizens who, he said, were asking him to “step forward” so that the prospect of political change could be restored.

“We are here today because we decided to answer that call. Not out of ambition, but because we cannot stand by and watch a society suffocate,” he said, summing up the main political message of his new effort in the phrase: “We are not just going for political change, we are going for political change.”

The name of the new party was revealed through a video with the central message “Greece of knowledge, creation and hope”.

The name of the new party was revealed through a video with the central message “Greece of knowledge, creation and hope”.

After the video, a little girl appeared holding the paper with the name “ELAS – Greek Leftist Coalition”, which she handed to Alexis Tsipras, in a scene that many linked to historical symbolism of the post-independence era.

He stressed that “ELAS” is not just a new party, but a “co-party” with the aim, he said, of “the convergence of the three historical currents of the progressive space: the Radical Left, Social Democracy and Political Ecology”.

The mark of the new party

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By its name and its rhetoric, Alexis Tsipras has shown that he wants to address a broad audience ranging from the centre-left to the left, attempting to re-express the broader progressive space.

In his speech he spoke about the historical political traditions of the area, talking about the legacy of EAM, the National Resistance, the EDA, the struggles for Democracy and Peace, but also of PASOK of the first period of “Change”, as well as of SYRIZA of the “First Left”.

At the same time, he called on citizens to support the new effort by signing the Founding Declaration, addressing both the “world of the Left, Democracy and Progress” and citizens who “have never joined a political party until now.”

The seven commitments of “ELAS”

The central axis of the founding declaration is the seven basic commitments of the “Hellenic Left Coalition”, which concern:

  • Life with dignity,
  • strong democracy without immunity,
  • fair development,
  • strengthening the welfare state,
  • resilience to crises,
  • digital democracy and sovereignty,
  • new national strategy in foreign policy.

Alexis Tsipras described the declaration as a “Compass for the New Greece”, speaking of the need for a “New Metapolicy”, as well as a “shock of honesty and democracy”.

Who was at Thiseio

The event drew a large crowd and several former SYRIZA executives, but without the presence of active MPs.

Among those present were Kostas Gavroglou, Panagiotis Kouroumblis, Athina Linou, Dionysis Teboneras, Nikos Bistis, Dora Avgeri and Yannis Balafas.

Alexis Tsipras’ partner, Betty Baziana, was also there, as was his sister, Jeanette Tsipras.

The event was introduced by actors Marianna Toumasatou and Emilio Chilakis, with theatrical dialogue and political points.

The first reactions

The name of the new faction was commented on quite a lot on social media with several users mockingly commenting on the acronym “EL.A.S”, making references to both the Greek Police and to earlier viral political campaigns.

From humorous memes to sharp comments on X, the new name quickly became the focus of online debate as many voiced their opposition to the name.

However, Alexis Tsipras emphasized the political message of unity of the new effort, calling for “mass popular support” and participation in the “new journey” by signing the Founding Declaration on the myelas.gr platform.

The signature platform has been opened

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After the presentation, the platform to support the Founding Declaration was activated, through which citizens can sign up to participate in the new political venture.

Closing his speech, Alexis Tsipras sent a message of participation and political mobilisation. We don’t just need political change, but political change. And this change will not come from above. It will come from society.”

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