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Greece: Political Developments and Data in 2024

One-Party Dominance and a Fragmenting Opposition

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2026

Harris Mylonas*
Affiliation:
George Washington University, Washington D.C., USA
*

Abstract

The year was marked by the European Parliament elections in June, where turnout was at its lowest and New Democracy (Nea Dimokratia/ND) dominated, albeit with a reduced vote share, compared to the last elections. These elections were followed by important political developments. A Cabinet reshuffle was announced days later, and both the Panhellenic Socialist Movement-Movement for Change (Panellinio Sosialistiko Kinima-Kinima Allagis/PASOK-KINAL) and the Coalition of the Radical Left (Synaspismos tis Rizospastikis Aristeras/SYRIZA) held internal elections for leadership. The incumbent president of PASOK-KINAL was re-elected in October. The ousting of SYRIZA's president by the party's top organ in early November prompted the exit of five SYRIZA MPs and, consequently, resulted in PASOK-KINAL assuming the role of the main opposition party. SYRIZA elected a new party president in late November. Adding to this turn of events was the unprecedented expulsion of a former Prime Minister, Antonis Samaras, from his own party, ND. Inflation remained a top concern for citizens. Greece became the first Orthodox Christian country to legalize same-sex marriage. The investigation into the Tempi train crash continued to fuel protests and allegations of a government cover-up. Wildfires once again ravaged various parts of the country. The devastating consequences of domestic violence persisted, with 16 femicides recorded in total.

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Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © 2025 European Consortium for Political Research

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