Election Date: September 16, 2007

Abstract: At stake: Parliament

At stake: Parliament

Background

Greece went through a brutal, five-year-long civil war that ended in 1949 when the communist rebels conceded defeat. In 1951, Greece—already a member of the United Nations (UN)—joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

On Apr. 21, 1967, a military junta seized power and King Constantine was forced into exile. Colonel George Papadopoulos led a far-right government until he was ousted himself in another coup in November 1973.

On Jun. 1, 1973, Papadopoulos abolished the monarchy and declared himself president, following a carefully planned referendum. The strongman's wish was to form a presidential republic, and introduce a series of political reforms to seek international recognition.

Papadopoulos, an anti-communist, had worked during the 1940s with the "Patras Food Supply Office" collecting taxes in the villages on behalf of Nazi occupation forces. During the junta's regime—and even at the time of the 1967 coup—Greece was supported by the United States government. This was acknowledged by U.S. president Bill Clinton in an official speech pronounced in Greece in 1999, in which he apologized on behalf of his country for its participation in the military regime.

On Nov. 14, 1973, a massive student demonstration against the Greek military junta began. Three days later, the quasi-revolt ended in a violent clash between the demonstrators barricaded at the Athens Polytechnic and the army.

On Nov. 25, brigadier Dimitrios Loannides ousted Papadopoulos and ordered his house arrest. Loannides' new military government collapsed in July 1974 as Turkey invaded the island of Cyprus—mostly inhabited by Greeks—allegedly to protect the Turkish minority from a military coup.

In December 1974, a new referendum took place. The monarchy was again rejected and Greece became a republic. Former prime minister Konstantin Karamanlis, who had been living in exile since 1963, returned to the country and was appointed as the interim head of government. Karamanlis had founded the conservative New Democracy (ND) party in October 1974.

In 1981, Greece joined the European Economic Community (EEC) and remains a member of the European Union (EU). On that same year, Andreas Papandreou—who had founded the Pan-Hellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) in September 1974—became Greece's first socialist prime minister.

In 1996, the pro-Western socialist Kostas Simitis became head of government. His term, which ended in 2004, focused on strengthening the country's economy.

In February 2004, George Papandreou—whose father and grandfather served as prime ministers in the 20th Century—was chosen as PASOK's new leader. Simitis had previously announced he would step down from the party's leadership ahead of the legislative ballot.

In March 2004, New Democracy (ND) defeated PASOK in the legislative election, securing 165 of the 300 seats at stake. Kostas Karamanlis officially became—at the age of 48—the youngest prime minister in Greek history.

Click Here for Greece's 2004 Legislative Election Tracker

Karamanlis vowed to reduce unemployment—at around 11 per cent at the time—and create incentives for foreign investors. The prime minister oversaw the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, which were eventually deemed a success despite many logistical setbacks.

The beginning of the Karamanlis government was marked by an inquiry into the way previous administrations had reported economic data to the public and the EU. Greece had been told by the EU that its economic estimates were not believable. Karamanlis' inquiry determined that PASOK's governments had falsified macro-economic data. The subject was particularly sensitive because the numbers allowed Greece to adopt the Euro as its currency.

In 2006, Karamanlis announced he would seek a constitutional amendment that would allow opening the country's universities to private ownership. Supporters of this idea said state-owned universities are responsible for a crisis in the education sector and for the fact that many Greek students seek higher education abroad. The academic community opposed the initiative fearing the quality of education would be threatened and poor people might not be able to afford to go to school. After massive demonstrations and a nationwide crisis, the bill was approved by Parliament in 2007—but has not been signed into law.

In general, the prime minister has maintained a policy of economic liberalization, including tax cuts, changes in labour legislation and the privatization of several state-owned entities. Greece's economy has grown at an average rate of 4.0 per cent throughout Karamanlis' tenure.

2007 Parliament Election

On Aug. 17, Greek prime minister and New Democracy (ND) leader Kostas Karamanlis announced that an early parliamentary election would take place on Sept. 16. Karamanlis cited the need for a "new mandate" in order to carry a set of economic and bureaucratic reforms. In a televised address, he declared: "Not everything has been corrected. We need a new mandate for a better future."

Pan-Hellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) leader George Papandreou quickly expressed confidence in his party's performance in the upcoming ballot, saying, "A new era is beginning for Greece. We are certain of our victory." Papandreou had repeatedly called for early elections, claiming the current administration is incompetent.

The Communist Party of Greece (KKE)—led by Aleka Papariga—will seek to build on the 12 seats won in the 2004 ballot. On Aug. 20, Papariga called on voters to punish the ND and PASOK, declaring, "Both parties have governed and again want to govern. They are tested parties of powers, because they have a confirmed common policy that must be condemned."

The Coalition of the Radical Left (SYR)—currently led by Alekos Alavanos—won six seats three years ago, while the People's Orthodox Alarm (LAOS) of George Karatzaferis was unable to earn a single seat in the last democratic process.

Parliament is due to begin a new term in October. The legislature will likely focus on two main issues: approving the 2008 budget and discussing the controversial higher-education bill.

On Aug. 20, Papandreou called on voters to support his party, saying, "A PASOK government would reverse wrongs and redistribute income. (...) New Democracy is leaving under the weight of its policy impasses, which had started to turn into impasses for the country and Hellenism. Fortunately, their supposed work was left unfinished."

On Aug. 22, Karamanlis defended his party's record, saying, "We made good on our pledges; we achieved what was unattainable by other past governments. However, this is not enough; we do not say that we have solved the problem, we are still not satisfied." The prime minister said the country's unemployment rate of 7.7 per cent in May "confirms" Greece's "significant economic turnaround." Also on Aug. 22, the Democratic Social Movement (DIKKI) joined the SYR.

On Aug. 25, the government declared a nationwide state of emergency after a series of devastating forest fires broke out in southern Greece. Karamanlis suggested that arson might be to blame, saying the crisis "cannot be a coincidence." PASOK has pledged to donate 30 per cent of its campaign budget to the victims. At least 63 people have lost their lives in the fires.

On Aug. 27, Dimitris Papangelopoulos, a prosecutor responsible for terrorism and organized crime, ordered an investigation into "whether the crimes of arsonists and of arson attacks on forests carried out in the country during the summer of 2007" could be litigated under Greece's anti-terrorism law.

On Aug. 28, Papandreou criticized the current administration's handling of the devastating forest fires that broke out in southern Greece, saying, "This government was proven to be totally incompetent, unable to handle the fire crisis, like all the other crises it encountered in its four-year administration." PASOK spokesman Yiannis Ragoussis accused the government of "attempting to create a Sept. 11-type of climate" before the general election.

Greek president Karolos Papoulias—who served as foreign minister during two PASOK administrations—called on all politicians to behave responsibly, saying, "It is a national tragedy. We all know this and it is the duty of all of us in these times to show maturity, to face this tragedy."

On Aug. 29, Papandreou again criticized the way the Karamanlis administration has handled the situation, saying, "The government has proven tragically incapable of dealing with the fires. (.) It continues to act irresponsibly. It is busy fabricating conspiracy terror theories. The result: Greeks are being ridiculed abroad. Our nation cannot tolerate a government propped up on fear."

On Sept. 14, Karamanlis urged for a clear mandate, saying, "This is the time when you choose security over insecurity, it is the time when you choose responsibility over populism." The incumbent prime minister also ruled out the possibility of forming a coalition government with LAOS.

Papandreou called for unity among leftist organizations, declaring, "No democrat, no progressive person, no socialist, no leftist can surrender the fate of the country to the Right." The PASOK leader also presented his proposal to establish 16 ministries and form an administration "free of partisan practices and discriminations."

Papariga discussed her party’s role in the country’s political scene, saying, "There is hope that we will be able to cancel out certain measures or make them harder to implement; there is hope that we will be able to look forward to a better future, with KKE being a notable and unwavering counterbalance."

Polls released by Metron Analysis and GPO in early September—before the mandatory blackout period on the publication of voting intention surveys came into effect—placed the governing New Democracy (ND) slightly ahead of the Pan-Hellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK), with the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) in third place.

Voting took place on Sept. 16. Preliminary results released on election night gave the ruling New Democracy (ND) 41.84 per cent of the vote and 152 seats, followed by the Pan-Hellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) with 38.10 per cent and 102 lawmakers. The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) was third with 8.15 per cent and 22 mandates, followed by the Coalition of the Radical Left (SYR) with 5.04 per cent and 14 seats, and the People’s Orthodox Alarm (LAOS) with 3.79 per cent and 10 lawmakers.

Karamanlis expressed satisfaction with the outcome, saying, "This government now exists, it is the one backed by a social majority with a strong political volition, one accountable to its commitments." Papandreou conceded defeat, declaring, "PASOK fought a battle and lost it. I want to thank all those who showed me their love and trust."

Political Players

President: Karolos Papoulias
Prime minister: Kostas Karamanlis - ND

The president is elected to a five-year term by parliament.

Legislative Branch: The Vouli ton Ellinon (Greek Parliament) has 300 members, elected to four-year terms through "reinforced proportional representation" in 51 multi-seat constituencies and five single-seat constituencies.

Results of Last Election:

Parliament - Sept. 16, 2007

(Preliminary results with 99 per cent of the votes tallied)

	Vote%	Seats
New Democracy (ND)	41.84%	152
Pan-Hellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK)	38.10%	102
Communist Party of Greece (KKE)	8.15%	22
Coalition of the Radical Left (SYR)	5.04%	14
People’s Orthodox Alarm (LAOS)	3.79%	10
Ecologist Greens (OP)	1.05%	--
Democratic Revival (DA)	0.80%	--
Union of Centrists (EK)	0.29%	--
Communist Party of Greece Marxist-Leninist (KKE-ml)	0.25%	--
Radical Left Front (MRA)	0.17%	--
United Anti-Capitalist Left (ENANTIA)	0.15%	--
Marxist-Leninist Communist Party of Greece (M-L KKE)	0.11%	--
Liberal Alliance (EFS)	0.10%	--

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