Movement for Change

Former socialist prime minister George Papandreou has brushed off speculation that he intends to join a SYRIZA-led alliance ahead of elections later this year.

In a statement Tuesday, Papandreou dismissed the speculation saying it was part of "political machinations…  aimed at serving self-interested objectives."

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and his aides reportedly remain focused on creating a "progressive front" of the center-left despite reactions from within SYRIZA and accusations by the Movement for Change (KINAL) that the ruling leftist party is trying to tap into its base.

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras carried out a light reshuffle on Friday, as had been long expected, promoting Giorgos Katrougalos to foreign minister and bringing in officials who had served under former socialist premier George Papandreou as deputy ministers, amid mounting speculation of likely snap polls in May. 

Democratic Left (DIMAR) on Tuesday said it was quitting the centrist alliance, Movement for Change (KINAL), following the weekend expulsion of its president Thanasis Theocharopoulos over his support for the Prespes agreement.

"DIMAR will stick to the responsible stand... that it has from the very beginning maintained on this crucial national issue," the party said in a statement.

Amid speculation about his possible move to centrist Potami following his ejection from the Movement for Change (KINAL) coalition, Thanassis Theoharopoulos held his cards close to his chest on Monday, commenting that he has a "good relationship" with Potami and its leader Stavros Theodorakis.

Democratic Left (DIMAR), a small leftist party created as a result of a breakaway from Syriza back in 2010, has voted to approve the Prespes deal.

Amid accusations that ruling SYRIZA is trying to appropriate the legacy of the once powerful PASOK party, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and other government members visited the home of Antonis Livanis, a veteran of the Socialist party, on the occasion of his name day on Thursday.

The leader of the centrist Movement for Change (KINAL), Fofi Gennimata, on Tuesday described former defense minister Panos Kammenos's departure from the SYRIZA-led coalition as a premeditated farce, while renewing her call for early elections.

"For us you are a minority government. No, we do not have trust in you," Gennimata told lawmakers on the eve of a confidence vote.

Pavlos Christides, the spokesman for centrist Movement for Change, known by its acronym KINAL, said on Monday that its MPs can vote according to their conscience when a vote on the Macedonia name deal comes to Parliament.

Movement for Change leader Fofi Gennimata on Wednesday warned that an ongoing debate over the separation of church and state could jeopardize unity within the clergy, accusing ruling SYRIZA and opposition New Democracy of putting "petty party interests" first.