A bit over a month after the recent European Elections of 6-9 June, these have proven to be a complex and multifaceted event in Greece, leaving no political party fully satisfied with the outcomes. However, despite this general dissatisfaction, each party has found ways to frame the results in a positive light, avoiding the label of outright defeat, and highlighting the paradox of the intricate dynamics of Greek politics.

New Democracy: A Significant Drop

New Democracy (EPP), the ruling party under Kyriakos Mitsotakis, suffered a notable decline in voter support, dropping from nearly 41% in the 2019 national elections to 27.98%. This decline is particularly significant as it represents the party’s first major electoral setback in five years. The loss of support in the centrist voter base, which accounted for a 12-13% drop, was a primary factor in this decline, with many centrist voters opting for abstention rather than shifting allegiance to another party.

Despite the drop, New Democracy remains the leading party by a considerable margin. Mitsotakis acknowledged the failure to meet the party’s goals but emphasized that the results should be a starting point for renewed efforts and reforms. The party’s narrative focused on the need for “big changes and big reforms faster,” aiming to present the results as a wake-up call rather than a defeat. To this end, shortly after the elections, Mitsotakis announced a series of financial support measures, especially focusing on the elderly, to be implemented by the end of 2024. This perspective allowed New Democracy to avoid the perception of a complete failure, maintaining a semblance of stability and forward momentum.

SYRIZA: Struggling with Internal Conflict

SYRIZA (Left), under the leadership of Stefanos Kasselakis, also faced disappointing results, failing to reach the expected 15% threshold and ending up with 14.94%. This outcome highlighted the internal splits and ongoing leadership struggles within the party. Kasselakis has ambitious plans to restructure SYRIZA, emphasizing direct democracy and reducing the influence of traditional party organs. However, this approach has led to internal conflicts and a period of introspection.

Despite the underwhelming performance, Kasselakis framed the results as an opportunity for rebuilding and strengthening the party, given that it remained the leader of the opposition. By focusing on the need for modernisation and direct engagement with citizens, he attempted to shift the narrative away from failure and towards potential growth, sending a message primarily to his rivals inside his party, who questioned his authority and novel leadership model. This strategy allowed SYRIZA to maintain a forward-looking stance, even in the face of electoral setbacks.

PASOK: Incremental Gains Amidst Internal Tensions

PASOK (S&D), led by Nikos Androulakis, saw a slight increase in its percentage, rising to 12.86%. While this marks a small victory, it falls short of the party’s ambitious goal of securing second place and becoming the leader of the opposition, once again after many years. Internal tensions have surfaced, with numerous members calling for a comprehensive evaluation of the results and a discussion about the party’s future direction and leadership.

Despite these challenges, Androulakis emphasised the positive aspect of the increased percentage, framing it as a sign of growth and potential. By highlighting the party’s progress, however incremental, PASOK avoided the perception of failure.

However, despite his repeated efforts to portray himself as the Party’s right leader, Androulakis gave in to the internal pressure and announced party elections for its leadership, set to take place in October.

The Rise of the Far-Right

Nevertheless, one of the most significant developments in the election was the rise of far-right parties. Greek Solution, led by Kyriakos Velopoulos, emerged as a notable force, securing 9.45% of the vote, and surpassing the Greek Communist Party (KKE) which also saw a notable rise in its electoral results. Other far-right entities collectively garnered over 20% of the vote, reflecting a broader European trend towards nationalist, xenophobic, and conservative politics.

While this rise poses a challenge to the traditional parties, it also served as a wake-up call, especially for New Democracy, emphasising the need for comprehensive strategies to address the issues driving voters towards far-right solutions.

Conclusion

The European elections in Greece have underscored a period of significant political transition and uncertainty. While no party fully achieved its pre-electoral goals, each has managed to frame the results in a manner that avoids the label of outright defeat, as there was no clear winner. New Democracy remains focused on progressing reforms, SYRIZA emphasizes rebuilding and modernization, and PASOK highlights its potential growth momentum. The rise of the far-right adds another layer of complexity, challenging traditional parties to adapt and respond to shifting voter sentiments.

In this complex political landscape, the ability to control the narrative and present setbacks as opportunities for growth has become crucial. As the parties navigate the post-election environment, their strategies and responses will shape the future of Greek politics, reflecting a broader trend of adaptation and resilience in the face of electoral challenges. It remains to be seen if the traditional establishment parties will find ways to rebrand themselves and better appeal to the Greek electorate, especially in light of a historic-high abstention of 59,5%, or if far-right parties will continue to be perceived as a solution for expressing the general dissatisfaction of the voters for the Greek political system.