Former press office staff for Maria Karystianou’s “Hope for Democracy” party has launched a scathing public attack against party spokeswoman Maria Gratsia, adviser Nikos Galanos and Ms. Karystianou herself, blaming the trio for the movement’s ongoing turmoil.
In a statement signed by the “former Press Office of Hope for Democracy” — reportedly linked to former spokesman Thanasis Avgerinos, who resigned last week — the group accused a “very narrow inner circle” of transforming what began as a broad citizens’ movement into “a small, fearful, leader-driven party” through what they called self-destructive decision-making.
The statement alleges Ms. Gratsia repeatedly blocked the communications team’s work, that numerous press releases were never published because they lacked approval from a small, inexperienced decision-making circle, and that the party’s official website — prepared by the communications team and ready to launch — was shelved at the last minute in favor of a different domain assigned to Mr. Galanos and his associates.
The former staff say they were never given website access and were sidelined without explanation.
The group also accused party leadership of falsely characterizing recent departures from Crete-based officials as “betrayal” and spreading unverified claims that one member had received offers to join a rival party’s parliamentary list.
The former staffers called on Ms. Gratsia to publicly release minutes from the party’s Political Council and internal communications team chats, warning they would release the material themselves if she does not comply.
The party has not issued an official response to the allegations.
