Iakovidis quits Karystianou's party over auction property purchase

Othon Iakovidis has announced his departure from the newly formed Greek political party "Hope for Democracy," led by Maria Karystianou. The resignation stems from revelations that Karystianou's company allegedly purchased an apartment through a foreclosure auction.

Iakovidis, who has a history of activism fighting against property auctions, stated that he could no longer remain in a party that he felt was associated with such a contradiction. Speaking on Status FM 107.7 in Thessaloniki, he explained his disillusionment, saying, "I had been running for years to the courts and the corridors of Thessaloniki's courts to prevent auctions and save the homes of vulnerable people." He added that he had fought "hand-to-hand battles with the police."

"When I found out that Maria Karystianou bought a small apartment from an auction, I realized that my staying in the party was impossible. She fell in my eyes from the height I had placed her," Iakovidis declared. He felt that the explanations provided for the situation were unsatisfactory and believed Karystianou should have issued a public apology rather than attempting a political management of the issue.

Iakovidis initially supported Karystianou, seeing her as a representative of a broader social demand against the political system. He described the movement as originating from "a movement of defeated Greeks" seeking a political outlet after years of national, social, and economic setbacks. However, he now believes that recent organizational choices, combined with the property auction issue, indicate the party is moving in a different direction than he initially supported.