Alexis Tsipras formalizes new political party 'ELAS' by filing founding declaration with Greece's Supreme Court

The filing at the Supreme Court

Shortly after noon on Thursday, 28 May 2026, Alexis Tsipras arrived at the Areios Pagos, Greece's Supreme Court, to deposit the founding declaration of his new political party, the Hellenic Left Coalition (ELAS). The move fulfills the legal requirement to give the party official standing. Tsipras was accompanied by the party's spokesperson and deputy spokespersons, as well as Maria Lepenioti, a former Vice President of the Areios Pagos who co-signed the declaration.

In a highly symbolic move, Mr. Tsipras was accompanied by the appellate judge who convicted Golden Dawn, Maria Lepenioti.

The founding event at Thiseio

The official presentation of ELAS took place the previous Tuesday in a celebratory atmosphere at Thiseio, with the Acropolis as a backdrop. Tsipras's team expressed satisfaction with the public turnout and the initial response to the new political venture. The party's communications team was announced on Wednesday, with Theoni Koufonikolakou appointed as press spokesperson.

Now we all begin together a beautiful journey of participation and struggle for a better Greece.

The party's platform and seven commitments

During the launch, Tsipras outlined seven core commitments: a life with dignity; a strong democracy without immunities, with transparency and oversight at every level of power and public money; a strong economy of just development and dignity, with a shift in the production model emphasizing agriculture and manufacturing; a social state of rights against speculation, making health, education, social protection, housing, and culture rights for all; a resilient Greece in a world of constant crises, with protection against energy insecurity and the extreme consequences of climate change; and a new national compass with an active, multidimensional foreign policy.

The founding declaration is titled "Coalition for Greece, Justice, Democracy – For a life with dignity." It focuses on social justice, strengthening democracy, protecting labor, tackling the cost-of-living crisis and inequalities, and the need for a new production model and a different foreign policy. The text extensively references international developments, armed conflicts, the climate crisis, and the social impacts of globalization, while leveling sharp criticism at both the government and the entire post-1974 political system. It calls for a "New Metapolitefsi" centered on transparency, accountability, and restoring citizens' trust in institutions.

Greece urgently needs a new national compass and an active, multidimensional foreign policy that will establish its role as a pillar of peace and stability.

German press reaction

German media have taken note of Tsipras's return. Der Spiegel wrote that the former prime minister is seeking to challenge the ruling New Democracy party and that the founding of ELAS "essentially opens the battle for the realignment of Greece's left and center-left political spectrum." The tageszeitung detailed the seven commitments, while the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND) ran a piece titled "The left-wing populist Tsipras announces his comeback," noting his withdrawal from active politics after heavy electoral defeats in 2019 and 2023 and his resignation from parliament in 2025. The Handelsblatt observed that Tsipras "remains one of Greece's most controversial politicians to this day" and is now attempting to rally the fragmented left while also reaching out to centrist voters.

Next steps

Tsipras's team will now focus on the organizational development of the new party nationwide, with an emphasis on creating local networks and thematic groups. A cycle of tours and political interventions is being planned, and the goal is to present the party's detailed political program in the near future. The team considers the coming period critical, as it seeks to capitalize on the initial polling momentum and present a formation with characteristics of governmental readiness.