O quadro político da Grécia

Political Outline

Current Political Leaders

President: Katerina Sakellaropoulou (since 13 March 2020)
Prime Minister: Kyriakos Mitsotakis (since 8 July 2019)

Next Election Dates

Presidential: February 2025
Parliamentary: July 2023

Current Political Context

The pro-business government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis from the centre-right New Democracy Party can count on an absolute majority in the parliament (158 out of 300 seats) which allowed for the swift adoption of policies during the legislature. These included efforts to liberalise some of the state-owned institutions, strengthen independence and transparency in the public sector and support the economy through the pandemic crisis and the energy crisis prompted by the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

Legislative elections are scheduled for July 2023. For the first time since 1990, the electoral system will not use a bonus seats system, after the repeal of semi-proportional representation. Therefore, coalition-building will be likely. As of the beginning of 2023, polls tend to see the New Democracy Party still holding the lead (>35%), followed by the centre-left Syriza (around 30%) and Pasok-Kinal (12%).

Main Political Parties

- Coalition of the Radical Left (SYRIZA): left-wing anti-establishment, populist, anti-austerity
- New Democracy (ND): centre-right
- Movement For Change (KINAL): centre-left
- Greek Solution: right-wing, ultranationalist
- European Realistic Disobedience Front (MeRA25): left-wing
- Communist Party of Greece (KKE): Marxist-Leninist
- Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK): centre-left, supports social liberalism
- Independent Greeks (AE): right-wing, anti-immigration, but economically more left and anti-austerity
- Democratic Left (DIMAR): centre-left to left-wing
- Ecologist Greens (OP): green
- Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS): far-right
- Union Of Centrists (EK): Centrist Opposition

Executive Power

According to the Constitution, executive power is exercised by the President of the Republic and the Government. The role of the President in the executive branch has been reduced to ceremonial since 1986. The post of Prime Minister, Greece's head of government, belongs to the current leader of the political party that can obtain the confidence of a parliamentary majority. The President of the Republic formally appoints the Prime Minister and, on his or her recommendation, appoints and dismisses the other members of the Cabinet. The Prime Minister exercises vast political power and the amendment of 1986 further strengthened their position to the detriment of the President of the Republic.

Legislative Power

Legislative power is exercised by a 300-member unicameral Parliament. Statutes passed by the Parliament are promulgated by the President of the Republic. Parliamentary elections are held every four years, but the President of the Republic is required to dissolve the Parliament earlier on the proposal of the Cabinet, when faced with a national issue of exceptional importance. The President is also required to dissolve the Parliament earlier than scheduled if the opposition succeeds to pass a motion of no confidence.

Indicator of Freedom of the Press

World Rank:

70/180

Indicator of Political Freedom

Ranking:

Free

Political Freedom:

1/7

Political freedom in the world (interactive map)
Source: Freedom in the World Report, Freedom House