greece

What are the main greek political parties

The greek civil war that followed the end of World War Two in Greece affected dramatically Greek politics for many years. The political field of Greece from the early 50’s until the Greek military dictatorship in 1967 was divided into three major political streams, the Conservative front under the leadership firstly by General Papagos with the party Ellinikos Synagermos (Greek Rally) and later by Konstantinos Karamanlis with ERE (Greek radical union).

The Liberals with the party of the Liberals (Fileleftheroi) of Sofoklis Venizelos followed by Enosis Kentrou (Union of the Centre) in 1961 under the leadership of Georgios Papandreou , and the broad left mainly represented by the party of EDA (United Democratic Left) under the leadership of Ilias Iliou. The dramatic events of this period started with the assassination of Grigoris Lambrakis, who was a prominent member of the Left, in Thessaloniki in 1963.

The assassination of Lambrakis coincided with the fall of the Conservative government after the resignation and self exile in France of its leader Konstantinos Karamanlis and the victory of Georgios Papanndreou with his party Enosis Kentrou in the elections of the same year. During the short time of the Georgios Papandreou government, Greece made great progress towards the establishment of a more Democratic regime, unfortunately the events of July 1965 (engineered by the Greek Monarchy) split the party and gave a green light for the establishment of the seven years of Military Dictatorship in Greece1967-1974 which was one of the main causes behind the drama and splitting of Cyprus.
Today, with the end of the cold war and, as the times and world politics have changed so in Greece, the political climate and political parties are completely different than they were 50 years ago.

Nea Demokratia

nea-demokratiaNea Demokratia, also known as New Democracy in English, is a center-right political party that has played a significant role in Greek politics since its inception. The party was founded by Konstantinos Karamanlis after the fall of the military dictatorship in Greece. Its ideology is based on conservatism, liberalism, and social democracy.

In 1974 elections held after the fall of the dictatorship, Nea Demokratia won with an overwhelming majority and formed the government under Karamanlis’ leadership. During his term as Prime Minister from 1974 to 1980, he implemented various reforms and modernization programs which helped Greece move towards democratic stability.

Over time, Nea Demokratia has become one of the two major parties in Greece along with PASOK (Pan Hellenic Socialist Movement). It has been successful at forming governments several times over the years. In fact, it currently leads a coalition government under Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

Nea Demokratia’s policies have evolved over time to meet changing societal needs. Today it stands for lower taxes and less regulation for businesses while focusing on improving healthcare services and creating more jobs for people.

Despite facing numerous challenges over the years, including economic turmoil and social unrest, Nea Demokratia has remained steadfast in its commitment to promoting democracy, advocating for free markets and individual liberties.

PASOK

pasokPASOK, also known as the Panhellenic Socialist Movement, was founded in 1974 by Andreas Papandreou. This socialist party played a significant role in Greek politics and society from its inception until recent years. It has been instrumental in shaping democracy and economic reforms in Greece.

Pasok first came to power in 1981 when it won a landslide victory in Greece’s general election. This marked the beginning of its dominance over Greek politics which lasted until the global financial crisis hit Greece hard in 2008.

During its time in power, Pasok implemented numerous reforms aimed at improving workers’ rights and increasing access to healthcare and education. It also increased spending on infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges and public transportation.

However, Pasok’s popularity waned after the global financial crisis and subsequent economic downturn left Greece with high levels of debt and unemployment. The party lost significant support from voters who blamed it for mishandling the economy during its time in power.

The first leader of PASOK was Andreas Papandreou, who founded the party in 1974 after returning from exile in the United States. His charismatic personality and anti-establishment rhetoric made him a popular figure among Greek voters.

Following his death in 1996, Costas Simitis took over as leader of Pasok and served as Prime Minister from 1996 to 2004. He is credited with modernizing Greece’s economy and paving the way for its entry into the Eurozone.
After Papandreou’s resignation in November 2011, Evangelos Venizelos assumed leadership of Pasok until January 2015 when he was succeeded by Fofi Gennimata.

The current leader of Pasok is Nikos Androulakis who took over in August 2020 following Gennimata’s resignation. As Pasok continues to evolve under new leaderships, it remains one of Greece’s major political parties with a rich history behind it.

The party’s ideology is based on socialism, social justice, equality, human rights, democracy and freedom. Under this philosophy it has worked to ensure that every citizen gets equal opportunities irrespective of their class or status.

However, recent years have not been kind to PASOK due to various scandals involving high-ranking members. The party even lost its place as the second-largest party in parliament after elections held back in 2012 which marked a turning point for them.

Syriza

syrizaSyriza, short for Coalition of the Radical Left, is a political party in Greece that was founded in 2004. The party’s main ideology is democratic socialism and it aims to provide alternative solutions to austerity measures implemented by previous governments. Syriza gained popularity during the Greek financial crisis and eventually rose to power after winning the January 2015 parliamentary elections.

One of the key figures behind Syriza’s success is its charismatic leader Alexis Tsipras. He became prime minister following his election victory in 2015 and has been praised for his ability to connect with voters on issues such as social justice and economic reform. However, he has also faced criticism for some of his policies, which have been perceived as populist or unrealistic.

Despite these challenges, Syriza remains one of Greece’s most popular parties and continues to advocate for progressive policies such as universal healthcare, education reforms, and environmental protection. Its focus on grassroots activism and community organizing sets it apart from other traditional political parties in Greece and has helped it build a loyal base of supporters both domestically and internationally.

Syriza represents a new wave of left-wing politics that seeks to challenge established power structures while promoting more inclusive forms of governance. Whether or not they will be successful in achieving their goals remains to be seen but their impact on Greek politics cannot be denied!

The history of Syriza dates back to 2004 when it was founded as a coalition of left-wing and radical leftist political parties in Greece (KKE esoterikou). However, it wasn’t until 2012 that Syriza emerged as a significant force in Greek politics.

In May 2012 elections, Syriza gained almost 17% of votes and became the second-largest party in Greece. With this success came greater attention from both domestic and international audiences.

Over time, Syriza has become known for its anti-austerity stance and opposition to neoliberal economic policies. This approach resonated with many Greeks who had been hit hard by the financial crisis and subsequent bailout programs imposed on their country.

After several years of electoral gains and political maneuvering, Syriza finally came into power in January 2015 with Alexis Tsipras as Prime Minister. The party’s tenure was marked by a tumultuous relationship with EU institutions over bailout negotiations.

Over the years, Syriza has seen various leaders come and go. However, some have managed to leave an indelible mark on the party. One such leader is Alexis Tsipras, who served as Prime Minister of Greece from January 2015 until July 2019.

Tsipras was instrumental in leading Syriza to its first-ever electoral victory in January 2015. He played a crucial role in shaping the government’s economic policies during his tenure as prime minister.
Other notable figures within the party include Yanis Varoufakis, who served as finance minister under Tsipras’ administration. Varoufakis gained international recognition for his controversial approach towards handling Greece’s debt crisis. Another prominent figure within Syriza is Zoe Konstantopoulou, who served as Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament between February and October 2015.

KKE ( Communist party of Greece)

kkeKKE was founded in 1918, making it one of the oldest political parties in Greece. The party has a rich history that spans several decades and has played an active role in Greek politics.

KKE’s ideology is based on Marxist-Leninist principles, advocating for the establishment of a socialist state. Since its inception, KKE has been at the forefront of workers’ struggles and social movements, fighting for better wages, working conditions and democratic rights.

The party’s popularity surged during World War II when they led the resistance against Nazi occupation. However, after WWII ended, KKE faced increased persecution from right-wing governments and military dictatorships that followed.

Despite these challenges, KKE remained resilient throughout the years and continues to be an influential political force today. In recent times, they have been vocal about issues such as austerity measures imposed by international creditors on Greece to curb debt crisis.

The history of the Greek Communist Party, or KKE, is deeply intertwined with the political and social landscape of Greece. Founded in 1918 by Avraam Benaroya and other socialist militants, KKE was one of the first communist parties to emerge outside of Russia.

Despite facing intense persecution from both fascist forces during World War II and anti-communist sentiment following the war, KKE remained a significant force in Greek politics throughout much of the 20th century. In particular, its support for left-wing guerilla groups during the Greek Civil War cemented its reputation as a radical political party dedicated to challenging capitalist interests.

In recent years, however, KKE has faced criticism for its perceived isolationism and reluctance to form alliances with other leftist parties. Nonetheless, it remains a powerful voice within Greek politics and continues to advocate for socialism as an alternative to what it views as corrupt establishment politics.

Leaders of KKE

The Communist Party of Greece has been an influential political force in the country for nearly a century. Founded in 1918, it has undergone many changes throughout its history. The party faced persecution and suppression during periods of right-wing rule, but it continued to grow and organize.

Today, KKE remains committed to socialist ideals and is active in Greek politics as well as social movements. While the party’s influence has waned somewhat since the fall of the Soviet Union, it remains a significant player on the left wing of Greek politics.

Over its long history, KKE has had many notable leaders who have helped shape both the party and modern Greek society. Some prominent names include Nikos Zachariadis, Aleka Papariga, Harilaos Florakis and Dimitris Koutsoumbas – who is currently serving as General Secretary.

KKE’s commitment to socialism and working-class struggle make it an important part of Greece’s political landscape. Despite setbacks over time like any other political parties do face from time to time ,KKE continues to play a vital role in shaping Greece’s future by advocating for workers’ rights and equality for all citizens regardless of their social status or wealth level.

Elliniki lysi

elliniki-lysiElliniki Lysi, also known as Greek Solution in English, is a right-wing populist political party in Greece. The party was founded in 2016 by Kyriakos Velopoulos, a former member of the Hellenic Parliament. Since its inception, Elliniki Lysi has gained popularity among voters who feel disillusioned with mainstream politics and are searching for an alternative.

One of the key pillars of Elliniki Lysi’s platform is their stance on immigration. The party advocates for stricter border controls and tougher measures against illegal immigrants. They believe that Greece should have complete control over its borders and that illegal immigration poses a threat to national security.

Another important issue for Elliniki Lysi is economic reform. The party believes that Greece needs to reduce government spending and cut taxes in order to boost economic growth. They also advocate for more investment in infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, and airports.

Elliniki Lysi presents itself as a new option for Greeks who are tired of traditional parties failing to deliver results. While some criticize the party’s more extreme views on issues like immigration, there’s no denying that they’ve struck a chord with many voters who want change from the status quo.