Socialism in Greece

The Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) emerged in 1974 following the military dictatorship, with Andreas Papandreou as the party’s leader. PASOK established itself as a party that represented social and political change, differentiating itself from right-wing and the traditional left-wing parties.[2] During this time, the political party New Democracy returned to governance, with Constantine Karamanlis as the Prime Minister from 1974 to 1980.[3] In 1977, politics in Greece experienced a leftward shift, with PASOK gaining popularity and maintaining 25.2% of the vote and 93 seats in parliament.[2]

Proceeding the 1981 election, PASOK became the first left-wing socialist party in history to govern Greece, defeating New Democracy.[3] The previous government under New Democracy experienced various economic and administrative complications leading to a general dissatisfaction amongst various social groups.[2] PASOK’s campaign emphasised the importance of assisting “non-privileged” individuals which encompassed a large segment of the Greek population, allowing them to gain popularity.[2] In 1981, the KKE became the third largest party and aimed to represent traditional far-left wing ideology. In 1982, PASOK’s party membership increased from 60,000 during its first term in government to over 200,000 in 1982.[4] PASOK gave more responsibilities to the local government and were “significantly expanded”,[5] becoming responsible for waste management and renewable energy production.

In 1993, PASOK won another election, with Papandreou restoring left wing power. Papandreou was accused of nepotism and received criticism for employing family members as he gave his wife, Dimitra Liani-Papandreou, the position of director of his private political office.[6] Three years later, Costas Simitis replaced Andreas Papandreou as the leader of PASOK after Papandreou’s hospitalisation with heart disease.[3] Simitis modernised PASOK, transforming it from a democratic socialist party to one of neoliberalist ideals. These new values and strategies were then altered due to Greece’s economic crisis during 2010.[7]

In 2000, notable socialist figure, George Papandreou, visited Turkey as the first foreign minister in 40 years.[3] This aimed at restoring political peace between Turkey and Greece.[3] In 2004, Costas Simitis resigned as leader of PASOK and was replaced with George Papandreou, son of Andreas Papandreou.[3] Despite the leadership change, New Democracy won the March election. In 2004, the democratic socialist party, ‘Syriza’ was formed, led by Alekos Alavanos.[8]

The KKE held its 17th conference in 2005, discussing the importance of the “workers’ movement”.[9] Three years later, Greek socialists and communists around the globe celebrated the 90th anniversary of the KKE, with functions held in Australia including a celebration at the Hall of the Greek-Australian Welfare Society.[9] Alexis Tsipras, a self-identified democratic socialist, became the leader of Syriza in 2008. Syriza went on to win the 2015 election with 145 seats in Hellenic parliament, four less than the previous election.[8]

In 2019, Syriza won the “confidence vote” in Greek parliament proceeding upcoming elections in late May 2019.[10] Prime minister Alexis Tsipras retained 153 votes. In late May, Tsipras called an early election for June 2019 after being defeated by New Democracy in the European parliamentary elections.[11]

Socialism in Greece has often encompassed concepts such as anti-establishment, gender equality, communism and social progressivism. There also exists a “dualism” of ideology in socialist parties, with the KKE focusing on “pro-soviet orthodox” ideals and other parties identifying as reformist rather than distinctively communist.[12] Historically, left-wing politics in Greece has been largely associated with communist ideology and this remains to be true in contemporary times.[12] The “resonance of communist ideas” to certain social groups in Greece created specific socialist organisations such as the Socialist Workers’ Party of Greece, which was established in 1971.[13] In the late 1970s, the KKE followed “rigid Marxist-Leninist” ideology whilst also supporting the Soviet Union and opposing Greece’s membership with NATO.[12]

Socialist ideology was also present within the political party PASOK as they traditionally focused on the representation of trade unions.[14] Socialist ideologies of economic progressivism are currently apparent within the political party Syriza, the coalition of the radical left. An interview with a political representative from Syriza named Panagiotis Pantos revealed that the party actively supports gay rights, the right to seek asylum and immigration.[15] During the height of Greece’s economic recession, Syriza promised to “roll back austerity measures and renegotiate Greece’s debt” and as a result, the party won the election in 2015.[8] In early 2019, Syriza revealed that the government would be providing a range of monetary handouts due to the ongoing negative effects of the Greek economic crisis.[10] Prime minister, Alexis Tsipras, believed that these handouts would benefit individuals that suffered the most during the economic downturn and that they would also decrease New Democracy’s place in the opinion polls.

• Politics of Greece
• Communism
• Democratic Socialism
• List of democratic socialist parties and organizations
• List of communist parties
• List of socialist ideologies
• Criticism of socialism