(MENAFN- AFP) The split appears complete between Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and close to a third of the 149 lawmakers from his radical left Syriza party who have expressed their opposition to the terms of a third bailout.
Three former close allies of Tsipras have rebelled against his leadership and, with a possible vote of confidence ahead, will likely play a leading role in the coming political intrigue.
Panagiotis Lafazanis, former energy minister:
One of the first blows came from the bearded Syriza member Lafazanis who called on Thursday for the creation of a national anti-austerity movement.
The call has been seen as the seed for a dissident party that would bring together those disappointed by the steps Tsipras took to cut a deal with Greece's creditors.
Surrounded by a team of Syriza higher-ups, Lafazanis has stepped up public appearances in Athens and elsewhere in the country that "strongly resemble the start of a campaign", a Syriza member said on condition of anonymity.
A mathematician by training, Lafazanis came from the ranks of the communist party and resistance to the country's military junta that ruled from 1967-1974.
The Syriza faction he controls, considered the most radical in the party, is eurosceptic and advocates for the return of the drachma.
Before a key vote in parliament Lafazanis dared Tsipras to exclude him and his supporters.
"He would like to deprive us of our seats in parliament Let him do it," he said.
Zoe Konstantopoulou, parliament head:
A feisty and charismatic lawyer, 38-year-old Konstantopoulou has frequently interjected her opposition to the austerity measures. But, she has always taken pains to underscore that she is not targeting the Greek government but the new bailout pact, which she has described as a "crime against humanity" that could usher in "social genocide".
However, in her last appearance in parliament she lambasted Tsipras saying she could no longer back a premier "who has joined the cohort of his predecessors who had accepted the memoranda, throwing his comrades to the dogs".
Educated at top Greek, French and US universities, Konstantopoulou has a formidable political pedigree: she is the daughter of Nikos Konstantopoulos, a renowned lawyer who led one of Syriza's factions between 1993 and 2004.
Her frank speech and candour have gained her both praise and criticism and her forceful interventions had fuelled calls in the past for her sacking.
Elected the head of parliament this year -- the youngest person to hold the post -- Konstantopoulou is keeping her cards close to her chest leaving people guessing as to what her future strategy will be.
Yanis Varoufakis, former finance minister:
"He blows hot and cold," a party member said of Varoufakis, who has warned that the latest bailout deal was doomed to fail.
The controversial politician and self-described "erratic Marxist" resigned the day after Greeks voted against a proposed bailout in a July 5 referendum, accusing the country's creditors of "terrorism".
In recent interviews he has voiced his disappointment that Tsipras did not take a harder line with creditors.
The maverick former minister had a rock star allure arriving for EU summits in leather jackets and untucked shirts. He was also known for his straight-talking style that produced memorable moments and soundbites.
Despite his man-of-the-people stance, Varoufakis's background is anything but common. His 90-year-old father still heads one of Greece's biggest steel producers and he attended a posh school.
He has said he will give up his seat in parliament if asked by Syriza, of which he is no longer a member.
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