Greece and the Panellinio Sosialistiko Kinima

Abstract

Greek social democracy has changed beyond recognition in the last decade. This chapter draws on evidence from the last two rounds of elections (national and European) to analyse and explain the shifts in voter behaviour as well as the organizational and ideological reconfiguration going on in the progressive area of the political spectrum in Greece. I argue that given the longevity of PASOK in office and the decisive role it has played in shaping modern Greece, it is ironic that the party has been reduced to a lesser, if still influential, role in Greek politics. The party’s liberal political character, its moderate positions on most issues and its embrace of globalization and European integration make it a prototypical European social democratic party. Its failure, however, to develop a convincing and plausible economic policy agenda contrary to the mainstream approach adopted by parties in office has cost it dearly. The impoverishment, anger and frustration of the Greek population have made alternatives such as SYRIZA genuine contenders for dominance of the progressive area of the political spectrum. The successful pursuit of social democratic politics in Greece necessitates the overcoming of petty differences between SYRIZA and KINAL and the concomitant cooperation of progressive forces, at national, regional and local levels of government.