Aris Spilotopoulos, once a key strategist for the conservative New Democracy party, looks set to join the ranks of the main, leftist Syriza party.
The move is seen as part of a calculated bid by the party’s new leader, Stefanos Kasselakis, to lure disaffected members of the ruling ND party to Syriza.
Once among the closest confidants and strategists of Kostas Karamanlis, a former conservative leader and prime minister, Mr. Spiliotopoulos has been loosely affiliated with Syriza for years, acting as a political consultant.
That role, party officials say, is expected to be consolidated under the new leadership of Mr Kasselakis.
A related announcement spelling Mr. Spiliotopoulos’ role and duties are expected within the week. Still, officials sugges,t his recruitment comes amid strategy planning ahead of the June European elections.
Mr. Spiliotopoulos is the latest of a rash of ND members wooed by Syriza in recent years, part of the party’s bid to redefine its political identity and broaden its appeal base beyond traditional leftist supporters.