In a significant development within Greece's political landscape, the left-wing faction known as "Umbrella" has officially announced its departure from the main opposition SYRIZA party. Led by former Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos, the faction's decision comes after weeks of tension and ideological clashes with the newly-elected leader of SYRIZA, Stefanos Kasselakis.

The rift between Umbrella and Kasselakis stemmed from the faction's accusation that the party leader had abandoned SYRIZA's leftist ideology, adopting a more ambiguous approach centered around a "post-politics" concept driven by social media and a charismatic leader. Umbrella staunchly criticized this shift, asserting that it bypassed the party's traditional structures.

The final straw leading to the departure of Umbrella was Kasselakis' request for the expulsion of three prominent faction members, including former ministers Panos Skourletis and Dimitris Vitsas, both of whom also served as party secretaries. The third member facing expulsion, former Education Minister Nikos Filis, likened Kasselakis' behavior to that of Italian comedian-turned-politician Beppe Grillo and former US President Donald Trump, arguing it was incongruent with left-wing principles.

Recognizing the potential difficulty in obtaining approval for the proposed expulsions from both the party's Disciplinary Commission and Central Committee, Kasselakis suggested seeking approval from the party's base instead. However, this proposition was met with criticism, even from some of Kasselakis' own supporters, exacerbating the already turbulent atmosphere within the Central Committee's meeting on Saturday.

Following the chaos of the meeting, Umbrella released a statement on Sunday afternoon, confirming their departure from SYRIZA. The statement vehemently accused Kasselakis and his followers of adopting "Trumpian practices," right-leaning populism, fanaticism, and displaying contempt for the left's historical trajectory.

Expressing a sense of historical responsibility, Umbrella underlined their unwavering commitment to the left, stating their vision of socialism combined with liberty and democracy. The statement was signed by 45 prominent members, including Tsakalotos, Vitsas, Skourletis, Filis, former Parliament Minister Nikos Voutsis, Health Minister Andreas Xanthos, and Shipping Minister Theodoros Dritsas.

The departure of Umbrella from SYRIZA raises questions about their future plans, with speculation that they may form a new party. The success of their venture will depend, in part, on how many SYRIZA supporters choose to follow them in their political trajectory. The actions and decisions of Umbrella in the coming weeks will undoubtedly shape the Greek political landscape.

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