ATHENS, Greece — The political landscape in Greece has shifted significantly, as the left-leaning Syriza party has lost its status as the leading opposition faction in parliament amid a growing internal leadership struggle.

On Thursday, two members of parliament declared their departure from Syriza, bringing the party’s total to 29 deputies, which is now less than the 31 seats occupied by the Panhellenic Socialist Movement, known as Pasok.

One of the departing members, Theodora Tzakri, expressed her sentiments regarding her departure, stating that becoming an independent lawmaker was a matter of self-respect and integrity in her political journey. In her comments made outside the parliament, Tzakri criticized the current leaders within Syriza, claiming they’ve undermined the party’s position as the main opposition force.

Syriza, which was in power from 2015 to 2019, has struggled in recent elections, facing dwindling support and increasing defections to smaller parties. Earlier in the month, former leader Stefanos Kasselakis announced his resignation from Syriza and is anticipated to form a new political entity in the near future.

Notably, Pasok found itself ousted from its roles as either a governing or opposition party back in 2015. This change was primarily a result of widespread public discontent over austerity measures introduced during Greece’s financial turmoil and the subsequent international bailouts that followed.