Analyses
The momentum of the new electoral contest
Monday, 21 May 2012The forthcoming electoral contest will undoubtedly be characterized by the element of polarization, with left-wing SYRIZA and conservative New Democracy (ND) emerging as its leading players.
Elections of 17 June: The decisive turning point of the confrontation
Monday, 21 May 2012The forthcoming electoral contest is even more important than the recent poll. The elections scheduled for 17 June may prove to be the ‘main quake’ rather than an ‘aftershock’.
The elections of 6 May 2012 and the end of the Greek two-party system
Monday, 14 May 2012Without a doubt, the parliamentary elections of 6 May signal a radical change in the contemporary political and electoral history of Greece. The popular verdict formalizes the collapse of the party system that was formed during the Third Hellenic Republic. The consolidation of the institutional operation of two-partyism resulted in the alternation in power of the dominant two parties five times since the restoration of democracy (1981, 1990, 1993, 2004 and 2009).
The new Greek government
Friday, 02 Dec 2011The new coalition government of premier Loukas Papademos obtained 255 votes out of a total of 300. This majority is probably not as strong as it looks. It is a well established fact that the power of a government does not primarily depend on its numerical majority. Greece’s only previous coalition government (under PM Tzanetakis) lasted only 102 days, while the “all party” government under PM Zolotas only 139 days. This axiom still applies today.
The multiple impacts of the change of government
Monday, 14 Nov 2011There is no doubt that the appointment of Lucas Papademos as leader of Greece’s interim government will accelerate the process of deconstruction/transformation of the domestic party system.
G. Papandreou’s referendum and public opinion
Monday, 07 Nov 2011The initiative taken by George Papandreou in announcing on the evening of Monday, 31 October his intention to hold a referendum for the approval of the new loan agreement acted as a fuse for the further deepening of the political crisis.
The three parties of PASOK
Monday, 17 Oct 2011The 30th anniversary of the socialists coming to power (18/10/1981) finds PASOK at the lowest point in its history since the restoration of democracy in Greece.
The contradictory attitudes of Greeks toward the euro
Monday, 26 Sep 2011The attitudes of Greek public opinion toward the crisis and the euro have varied during the past four months in a way that would appear to reveal certain contradictions: Increasing ideological confusion, with the feeling of outrage still prevailing, pessimism about the future of the Eurozone, growing fear about the likelihood of Greece exiting the EMU.
Return to discontent
Monday, 12 Sep 2011The ‘rallying effect’ created in the ruling party’s favor by the agree-ment of 21 July, thanks also to the wholehearted support of the me-dia, lasted for just two weeks.
Political polarization leading to weakening of PASOK on two sides
Monday, 18 Jul 2011The July measurement of the Political Barometer reveals increasing polarization of the political and social climate. The Greek parliament’s enactment of the mid-term austerity program, the significant escalation of social protests and the severity of the police response have had a catalytic impact on the electorate.