![Stefanos Kasselakis elected as new president of leftist SYRIZA party](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/kasselakis3-e1693335323675-1024x677-1.jpg)
Political newcomer Stefanos Kasselakis was elected as the new president of leftist SYRIZA party on Sunday evening in the second round of an internal election, which saw a turnout of more than 130,000 party members – many newly registered this month.
Kasselakis, 35, an Ivy League-educated businessman who was once employed as a junior Goldman Sachs trader in Manhattan, received more than 56,000 votes to pool 56.69 percent, with 75 percent of the ballots counted by 11 p.m. local time. Polling stations closed at 9 p.m.
He recently appeared on Greece’s political “radar” after being placed on the state deputies’ ballot by former party leader Alexis Tsipras in the most recent general election – where Syriza was badly beaten by conservative New Democracy (ND).
He beat out former SYRIZA minister Efi Achtsioglou, 38, in the second round of the party leadership election. The latter garnered 43.31 percent of the vote with three-fourths of the ballots counted.
Five candidates stood for party president in last Sunday’s first round.
Syriza, which received 17.83 percent of the general vote in the June 2023 election, is the main opposition in Greece’s 300-MP Parliament, having elected 47 deputies to the legislature.
![ot.gr](/wp-content/themes/whsk_otgr/common/imgs/fav.ico/favicon-32x32.png)
![ot.gr](/wp-content/themes/whsk_otgr/common/imgs/fav.ico/favicon-32x32.png)
Latest News
![Greece: Airbnb Occupancy Hits 40% in June](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/airbnb-1-600x400.jpg)
Greece: Airbnb Occupancy Hits 40% in June
This growth, averaging about 20,000 new units per month, pushed the total number of accommodations to 224,860 by June, up from 204,578 the previous year.
![Fraport: Greece’s Regional Airports See 5.9% June Surge](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ot_airport_affixeis-1-1-600x352.png)
Fraport: Greece’s Regional Airports See 5.9% June Surge
Overall, during the first half of 2024, Fraport Greece's airports achieved remarkable results, handling more than 12.7 million passengers, a 7.8% increase compared to 2023.
![SFEE: Just 1 in 5 New Pharmaceutical Drugs Reach Greece](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ΦΑΡΜΑΚΑ-shutterstock_1467910202-2048x1365-1-600x400.jpg)
SFEE: Just 1 in 5 New Pharmaceutical Drugs Reach Greece
Greece spends 70% less than the European average on pharmaceuticals, and Greek patients face significant challenges accessing pharmaceutical drugs and treatments that are available in the country
![Attica Bank: Merger Process With Pancreta Commences](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/attica-bank-2048x1288-1-600x377.jpg)
Attica Bank: Merger Process With Pancreta Commences
A relevant announcement said the merger with Pancreta is expected to be completed by mid September
![Crete’s Heraklion Port Concession Deal Approved](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/heraklion-port2-1-600x369.jpg)
Crete’s Heraklion Port Concession Deal Approved
Owner of Minoan Lines Grimaldi Group acquired a 67% share of the port for a total price of 80 million euros
![Santorini Warning of Cruise Passenger Influx Causes Uproar](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/santorini1-600x400.jpg)
Santorini Warning of Cruise Passenger Influx Causes Uproar
A Santorini councilman urged locals to stay put and limit their activities during the arrival of cruise ships due to overtourism
![European Commission Approves Fourth 2.3 Billion Loan Payment to Greece Under RRF](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/european_commission_hq-flags_web-3-600x375.jpg)
European Commission Approves Fourth 2.3 Billion Loan Payment to Greece Under RRF
The Commission's preliminary assessment of Greece's request, completed on June 14, 2024, was positive, reflecting Greece's successful implementation of its recovery and resilience plan
![Greek Tourism: Projects Shaping the Landscape](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Mandarin-Oriental-Costa-Navarino-Ormos-Beach-Club-1024x767-1-600x449.jpg)
Greek Tourism: Projects Shaping the Landscape
In Vonitsa, Aetolia-Acarnania, the Varko Bay resort is emerging as the first ultra-luxury retreat by Banyan Tree in Europe
![Greece: New Draft Bill to Facilitate Property Transactions](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/akinita-1-600x400.jpg)
Greece: New Draft Bill to Facilitate Property Transactions
Streamlined process envisioned in draft law aims to cut 'red tape' in real estate transactions, including parental transfers of property to offspring
![Eurostat: Greece’s Airbnb Bookings Surge 28.7% in Q4 2023](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/airbnb-gba8e58468_1280-1-600x500.jpg)
Eurostat: Greece’s Airbnb Bookings Surge 28.7% in Q4 2023
Greece's growth in short-term bookings in Q4 2023 on platforms like Airbnb outpaced the EU average, recording a 28.7% increase compared to Q4 2022, higher than the EU's average growth of 22.7%