ATHENS – With both their parties under siege from dissidents within, Greece’s major opposition SYRIZA leader Stefanos Kasselakis said he could collaborate with the center-left PASOK-KINAL but wouldn’t align with it.

Greece’s fractured left has given an open playing field to the increasingly dominant New Democracy of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis who, despite some setbacks in European Parliament elections, is far ahead of even a combined left.

Kasselakis, who faces a near rebellion within the party he’s been unable to surrect to challenge Mitsotakis’ rule said that, “No one disputes the need for convergence. However, this must be conducted transparently, in full view of progressive voters, and with respect for the autonomy of existing groups.

Speaking to the central committee he said though, ““To negotiate any agreement behind closed doors with other parties solely to increase our share of the vote would, in my view, be unethical.”

He added that, “Moreover, such an agreement would not only lack ethics but also prove ineffective,” he said, stressing that the political product of such a pact would be “absurd,” in the reality of Greece’s political landscape.

“Alliances formed merely by sticking together have never succeeded in defeating a ruling party, no matter how corrupt (they) may be,” he said, advocating instead for “a gradual convergence of progressive forces from the grassroots.”

“Either we progress together or risk being left behind by society. Let us advance collectively toward a modern, patriotic Left,” he said without giving any idea what he meant or how that would work.

But he did say the party should gave a radical overhaul although former leader and one-time premier Alexis Tsipras changed its name from the Radical Left to Progressive Alliance but was routed twice by Mitsotakis.

Kasselakis said his idea would replace the central committee and political secretariat, who have influence in the party, with new bodies he didn’t outline nor whether they would be under his control.

That came after dissidents put out a statement criticizing him and proposing referenda to amend the SYRIZA party charter and another to pursue a  progressive alliance ahead of the scheduled 2027 national elections.

PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis, similarly under fire from within, set October elections for the embattled party that drew five challengers after members were upset that he couldn’t resurrect its fortunes.