Greek parliamentary election, May 2023

Summary:

Information Guide focusing on the legislative election held in Greece on 21 May 2023.

Further information:

All 300 seats of the Hellenic Parliament were up for election on 21 May 2023, as announced by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in March 2023. This election was carried out according to an electoral law passed in 2016 by a coalition government led by left-wing SYRIZA part, which stablished a purely proportional system with a 3% electoral threshold. It also removed a majority bonus which had been in place since the 1990s. Under the Greek Constitution, amendments to the electoral law come into effect starting from the second election to be held following their passage unless a supermajority backs it.

The electoral campaign was affected by the aftermath of a deadly train crash in February 2023, which also postponed the election by a month. Opposition parties raised the disaster as a symptom of a broken government and dysfunctional state. Incumbent centre-right New Democracy (ND) party focused on the positive economic outlook following a decade of hardship. Pre-electoral polls suggested a tighter-than-expected race between ND and SYRIZA, and a likely scenario of no parliamentary majority.

However, the election resulted in a clear victory for the ND (40.8%). Left-wing SYRIZA was second (20%) but suffered substantial losses, whilst the centre-left PASOK-KINAL was third (11.5%). Given that no political party was likely to form a parliamentary majority based on the election results, analysts predicted a new election would take place in the short-term. Indeed, no attempts to form a government were formally. carried out. Senior judge Ioannis Sarmas was appointed caretaker Prime Minister on 24 May, paving the way for a new election. The parliament was eventually dissolved on 29 May, less than 24 hours after it first convened. A new election was scheduled for 25 June 2023.

Commentary and Analysis

International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES): Election Guide: Election for Greek Parliament https://www.electionguide.org/elections/id/3514/

The Economist, 19/04/2023: Greece is a European success story. But the prime minister may not get much credit for it in the coming election https://www.economist.com/europe/2023/04/19/greece-is-a-european-success-story

Electoral Reform Society: News & Comment, 21/04/2023: Greece changes electoral law, then changes it back https://www.electoral-reform.org.uk/greece-changes-electoral-law-then-changes-it-back/

Oslo University: C-REX Right Now!, 25/04/2023: The Greek Far Right After Golden Dawn: What's Next? https://www.sv.uio.no/c-rex/english/news-and-events/right-now/2023/greek-far-right-after-golden-dawn.html

Robert Schuman Foundation: European Election Monitor (EEM), 25/04/2023: New Democracy of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is expected to come out ahead in the general elections but maybe without a majority https://www.robert-schuman.eu/en/eem/2045-new-democracy-of-prime-minister-kyriakos-mitsotakis-is-expected-to-come-out-ahead-in-the-general-elections-but-maybe-without-a-majority

Foreign Policy: Analysis, 19/05/2023: An Election Won’t End Greece’s Troubles https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/05/19/greece-elections-mitsotakis-tsipras-economy-politics-electoral-reform/

Friedrich Naumann Foundation: Analysis, 17/05/2023: Upcoming Greek elections: What to expect? https://www.freiheit.org/greece-and-cyprus/upcoming-greek-elections-what-expect

Euro|topics, May 2023: Greek parliamentary elections: who will win? https://www.eurotopics.net/en/300741/

The Spectator: Coffee House, 21/05/2023: New Democracy’s election success is a turning point for Greece https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/new-democracys-election-success-is-a-turning-point-for-greece/

Atlantic Council: New Atlanticist Blog, 24/05/2023: Have Greek politics finally settled down? https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/have-greek-politics-finally-settled-down/

The Irish Times: Editorials, 24/05/2023: The Irish Times view on the Greek elections: a clear winner emerges https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/editorials/2023/05/24/the-irish-times-view-on-the-greek-elections-a-clear-winner-emerges/

Friedrich Naumann Foundation: Analysis, 25/05/2023: Greek national elections bring surprising results with shifting political landscape https://www.freiheit.org/greece-and-cyprus/greek-national-elections-bring-surprising-results-shifting-political-landscape

The Economist: Leaders, 25/05/2023: A stunning election result for Greece’s prime minister https://www.economist.com/leaders/2023/05/25/a-stunning-election-result-for-greeces-prime-minister

Le Monde, 30/05/2023: Greek elections: Why Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his right-wing party have succeeded https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2023/05/30/greek-elections-why-kyriakos-mitsotakis-and-his-right-wing-party-have-succeeded_6028479_4.html

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News

Politico, 19/01/2023: Greece to hold elections in spring, Mitsotakis says https://www.politico.eu/article/greece-election-2023-parliament-kyriakos-mitsotakis/

France24, 21/03/2023: Greek prime minister announces general elections in May after rail disaster https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20230321-greek-prime-minister-announces-general-elections-in-may-after-rail-disaster

Reuters, 28/03/2023: Greeks to vote in parliamentary elections in May as PM's popularity slides https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/greece-hold-national-election-may-21-pm-2023-03-28/

Deutsche Welle, 28/03/2023: Greece to hold national elections on May 21 https://p.dw.com/p/4PLfE

Balkan Insight, 28/03/2023: Announcing Election Date, Greek PM Sums up Turbulent Tenure https://balkaninsight.com/2023/03/28/announcing-election-date-greek-pm-sums-up-turbulent-tenure/

Politico, 28/03/2023: Greece to hold national election on May 21 https://www.politico.eu/article/greece-hold-national-election-may-21-2023/

Associated Press (AP News), 29/03/2023: Greek prime minister calls general election for May 21 https://apnews.com/article/greece-election-may-21-mitsotakis-train-crash-d205eb5ddd180e0b149b9e81f2d5ed49

El País, 29/03/2023: Greek prime minister calls general election for May 21 https://english.elpais.com/international/2023-03-29/greek-prime-minister-calls-general-election-for-may-21.html

Associated Press (AP News), 22/04/2023: Campaign for Greek election begins with dissolved parliament https://apnews.com/article/greece-election-parliament-campaign-9ca67f3995cef48e2355ae429ebd9c90

Euronews, 17/05/2023: Your guide to the Greek elections https://www.euronews.com/2023/05/17/your-guide-to-the-greek-elections

Reuters, 19/05/2023: Greeks head to polls, no party seen winning clear majority https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/greeks-head-polls-no-party-seen-winning-clear-majority-2023-05-19/

The Guardian, 19/05/2023: ‘Our vote counts’: Greek politicians court teenagers in tight election race https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/may/19/our-vote-counts-greek-politicians-court-teenagers-in-tight-election-race

BBC News, 19/05/2023: Greek elections: Rail tragedy hangs over vote dominated by dynasties https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-65650508

RTÉ News, 19/05/2023: Rivals in last pitch before Greek general election https://www.rte.ie/news/2023/0519/1384630-greece-election/

Kathimerini, 21/05/2023: Greek election results: Mitsotakis says he has decisive mandate to govern - Live blog https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1211272/greeks-head-to-polls-live-blog/

The Economist, 21/05/2023: Greece’s prime minister wins an election, but lacks a majority https://www.economist.com/europe/2023/05/21/greeces-prime-minister-wins-an-election-but-lacks-a-majority

Deutsche Welle, 21/05/2023: Greek elections: Ruling party wins over Syriza https://p.dw.com/p/4RcaX

Balkan Insight, 21/05/2023: Live Blog: Greek Parliamentary Elections 2023 https://balkaninsight.com/2023/05/21/live-blog-greek-parliamentary-elections-2023/

France24, 21/05/2023: Greece PM eyes new polls for absolute majority after conservative win https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20230521-early-election-results-show-greece-s-ruling-conservatives-set-for-big-win

Euronews, 21/05/2023: Greece election: Voters face new election in June as New Democracy seeks majority - Live Blog https://www.euronews.com/2023/05/21/greek-election-live-blog-mitsotakis-takes-the-lead-headed-to-second-vote

Bloomberg, 21/05/2023: Greek Premier Mitsotakis Set for New Term, Boosting Markets https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-05-21/greek-premier-leads-exit-polls-with-second-election-likely?leadSource=uverify%20wall

RTÉ News, 21/05/2023: Greek PM's party wins election, but short of majority https://www.rte.ie/news/world/2023/0521/1384816-greece-election/

Politico, 21/05/2023: Greece’s conservatives achieve big victory but fall short of majority https://www.politico.eu/article/greece-election-mitsotakis-new-democracy-syriza-vote/

The Guardian, 21/05/2023: Greek centre-right party falls short of majority in general election https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/may/21/greeces-general-election-centre-right-party-far-ahead-as-votes-are-counted

Reuters, 22/05/2023: Greece's ruling Conservatives win vote but fall short of majority https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/greeks-head-polls-no-outright-winner-seen-2023-05-21/

Associated Press (AP News), 22/05/2023: Conservative party of Greek prime minister in big election lead, to seek outright majority https://apnews.com/article/greece-elections-vote-financial-crisis-economy-4a7b298f49e34031342d03128e1a81c7

El País, 22/05/2023: Greece faces new election in weeks, after center right triumphs but falls short of majority https://english.elpais.com/international/2023-05-22/greece-faces-new-election-in-weeks-after-center-right-triumphs-but-falls-short-of-majority.html

BBC News, 22/05/2023: Greek election: Centre-right Mitsotakis hails big win but wants majority https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-65666261

Politico, 22/05/2023: Mitsotakis calls for second Greek election, possibly on June 25 https://www.politico.eu/article/kyriakos-mitsotakis-new-democracy-greece-election-june-25/

Reuters, 23/05/2023: Greek leftists reject mandate to form coalition, election nears https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/greeces-leftists-seek-second-vote-instead-coalition-government-2023-05-23/

Associated Press (AP News), 24/05/2023: Greece appoints judge as caretaker PM ahead of new elections https://apnews.com/article/greece-politics-elections-caretaker-democracy-8ca965eb6f8f799dc5c8703381d4f666

Balkan Insight, 24/05/2023: Greece Heads Towards Second General Election https://balkaninsight.com/2023/05/24/explainer-the-road-to-the-second-round-of-greek-elections/

The Guardian, 24/05/2023: Senior judge to lead Greek caretaker government until fresh June election https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/may/24/greece-to-hold-fresh-elections-on-25-june

Reuters, 24/05/2023: Greece appoints caretaker PM ahead of June repeat election https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/greek-party-leaders-meet-coalition-talks-open-way-new-elections-2023-05-24/

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Official

Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE): ODIHR: Elections: Early Parliamentary Elections, 21 May 2023 https://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/greece/542361

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Wikipedia: 2023 Greek legislative election https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/May_2023_Greek_legislative_election

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