List of political parties in Greece

Prior to the 2012 elections the characteristic Greek political system was a two-party system. The historically dominant parties have been New Democracy and the Panhellenic Socialist Movement. Under the electoral system a party needs to surpass a 3% threshold in the popular vote in order to enter parliament. The largest party gets a 50-seat bonus (out of 300 seats) ostensibly to ensure elections return viable governing majorities.

In the Parliamentary elections held in 2009, five parties entered parliament: New Democracy (ND), the Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK), the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), the Coalition of the Radical Left (SYRIZA) and the Popular Orthodox Rally (LA.O.S.). In the 2012 elections, seven parties entered the parliament: ND, SYRIZA, PASOK, Independent Greeks (ANEL), KKE, and Democratic Left (DIMAR).

Parties represented in the current Parliament and European Parliament

Minor parties

Defunct parties

Parties during the reign of King Otto (1833–1862)

• English Party (Greek: Αγγλικό Κόμμα) (liberal, pro-English) (1824–1863)
• French Party (Greek: Γαλλικό Κόμμα) (liberal, pro-French) (1824–1863)
• Russian Party (Greek: Ρώσσικο Κόμμα) (conservative, pro-Russian) (1825–1863)
• Party of Radicals (Greek: Κόμμα των Ριζοσπαστών) (radical, pro-union) (1848–1864) in the United States of the Ionian Islands

Parties during the reign of King George I (1863–1913)

• Liberal Party (Greek: Κόμμα Φιλελευθέρων) (Liberal) (1910–1961)
• Nationalist Party (Greek: Κόμμα Εθνικόφρονων, K.E.) – Komma Ethnikofronon, KE (conservative, nationalist) (1865–1909)
• Modernist Party (Greek: Νεωτεριστικόν Κομμα, Ν.Κ.) – Neoteristikon Komma, ΝΚ (Liberal, Liberal Nationalist) (1875–1910)

Parties during the reign of King Constantine I - Alexander – George II (1913–1924)

• Freethinkers' Party (Greek: Κόμμα των Ελευθερόφρονων K.E.) – Komma Eleftherofronon (Nationalist, Royalist) (1922–1936)
• Liberal Party (Greek: Κόμμα Φιλελευθέρων) (Liberal,Liberal Nationalist) (1910–1961)
• People's Party (Greek: Λαϊκόν Κόμμα Λ.Κ.) LK – Laiko Komma (Conservative, Royalist) (1920–1958)

Parties during the Second Hellenic Republic (1924–1935)

• Agrarian Party (Greek: Άγροτικό Κόμμα A.K.) – Agrotikon Komma AK (1926–1956)
• Conservative Democratic Party (Greek: Συντιριτικό Δημοκρατικόν Κόμμα Σ.Δ.Κ.) – Syntiritiko Demokratikon Komma SDK (1932–1936)
• Democratic Union (Greek: Δημοκρατική Ένωσις Δ.E.) – Demokratiki Enosis (Liberal) (1926–?)
• Democratic Socialist Party of Greece (Greek: Δημοκρατικό Σοσιαλιστικό Κόμμα Ελλάδος, ΔΣΚ) – DSK (Democratic Socialist) (1935–1950)
• Farmers’ and Workers’ Party (Greek: Άγροτικόν και Έργατικόν Κόμμα Α.Ε.Κ.) – Agrotikon kai Ergatikon Komma/Agrotergatiko Komma AEK (Rural radical) (1932–1936)
• General People's Radical Union (Greek: Γενική Λαïκή Ριζοσπαστική Ένωση Γ.Λ.Ρ.Ε) – Geniki Laiki Rizospastiki Enosis GLRE (??) (1932–1936)
• Liberal Party (Greek: Κόμμα Φιλελευθέρων) (Liberal, Liberal Nationalist) (1910–1961)
• Greek National Socialist Party (Greek: Ελληνικό Εθνικό Σοσιαλιστικό Κόμμα) – Elliniko Ethniko Sosialistiko Komma (National Socialist) (1932)
• Jewish Political Union (Greek: Εβραϊκή Πολιτική Ένωση) – Evraiki Politiki Enosi (1926–1932)
• Macedonian Union (Greek: Μακεδονική Ένωση) – Makedoniki Enosi (Conservative) (1935)
• National Radical Party (Greek: Εθνική Ριζοσπαστική Κόμμα E.Ρ.K.) – Ethnikon Rizospastikon Komma ERK (Conservative) (1932–1936)
• National Unionist Party (Greek: Εθνικόν Ενωτικόν Κόμμα Ε.Ε.Κ.)– Ethnikon Enotikon Komma EEK (1935–1950)
• People's Party (Greek: Λαϊκόν Κόμμα Λ.Κ.) LK – Laiko Komma (Conservative, Royalist) (1920–1958)
• Progressive Party (Greek: Προοδευτικόν Κόμμα Π.Κ.) – Proodeftikon Komma PK (1928–1964, 1981)
• Refugees' Liberal Party (Greek: Φιλελευθέρων Προσφιγικόν Κόμμα Φ.Π.Κ.) – Fileleftheron Prosfijikon Komma FPK (1926–?)
• Socialist Party of Greece (Greek: Σοσιαλιστικό Κόμμα Ελλάδας ΣΚΕ)- Σοσιαλιστικό Κόμμα Ελλάδας, ΣΚΕ (Socialist, Svolist) (1920–1953)
• Union of Royalists (Greek: Ένωσις Βασιλικών EB) – Enosis Vasilikon (Monarchist-Conservative) (1935)

Parties during the restoration of King George II (1936–1946)

• Agrarian Party (Greek: Άγροτικό Κόμμα A.K.) – Agrotikon Komma AK (1926–1956)
• Conservative Democratic Party (Greek: Συντιριτικό Δημοκρατικόν Κόμμα Σ.Δ.Κ.) – Syntiritiko Demokratikon Komma SDK (1932–1936)
• Democratic Socialist Party of Greece (Greek: Δημοκρατικό Σοσιαλιστικό Κόμμα Ελλάδος, ΔΣΚ) – DSK (Democratic Socialist) (1935–1950)
• Democratic Union (Greek: Δημοκρατική Ένωσις Δ.E.) – Demokratiki Enosis (Liberal) (1926–?)
• Farmers’ and Workers’ Party (Greek: Άγροτικόν και Έργατικόν Κόμμα Α.Ε.Κ.) – Agrotikon kai Ergatikon Komma/Agrotergatiko Komma AEK (Rural radical) (1932–1936)
• General People's Radical Union (Greek: Γενική Λαïκή Ριζοσπαστική Ένωση Γ.Λ.Ρ.Ε) – Geniki Laiki Rizospastiki Enosis GLRE (??) (1932–1936)
• Liberal Party (Greek: Κόμμα Φιλελευθέρων) (Liberal, Liberal Nationalist) (1910–1961)
• National Party of Greece (Greek: Εθνικόν Κόμμα 'Ελλάδος E.Κ.E.) – Ethnikon Komma Ellados E.K.E. (Monarchist-Conservative) (1946–1967)
• National People's Party (Greek: Εθνικόν Λαϊκόν Κόμμα E.Λ.Κ.) – Ethniko Laiko Komma E.L.K. (1936)
• National Political Union E.P.E. (Greek: Εθνική Πολιτική Ένωσις Ε.Π.Ε.) – Ethniki Politiki Enosis, E.P.E. (Liberal) (1946)
• National Radical Party (Greek: Εθνική Ριζοσπαστική Κόμμα E.Ρ.K.) – Ethnikon Rizospastikon Komma ERK (Conservative) (1932–1936)
• National Unionist Party (Greek: Εθνικόν Ενωτικόν Κόμμα Ε.Ε.Κ.)– Ethnikon Enotikon Komma EEK (1935–1950)
• People's Party (Greek: Λαϊκόν Κόμμα Λ.Κ.) LK – Laiko Komma (Conservative, Royalist) (1920–1958)
• Progressive Party (Greek: Προοδευτικόν Κόμμα Π.Κ.) – Proodeftikon Komma PK (1928–1964, 1981)
• Reform Party (Greek: Μεταρρυθμιστικόν Κόμμα M.K.) – Metarrythmistikon Komma MK (1936)
• Union of Agrarian Parties (Greek: Ένωσις Άγροτικόν Κομμάτων Ε.Α.Κ.) – Enosis Agrotikon Kommaton EAK (Agrarian) (1946)
• Union of the Nationally Minded (Greek: Ένωσις Εθνικοφρόνων Ε.Ε.) – Enosis Ethnikofronon, ΕΕ (Monarchist-Conservative) (1946)
• United Order of Patriot-Thinkers (Greek: Ηνωμένη Παράταξις Εθνικοφρόνων Η.Π.Ε.) – Inomeni Parataxis Ethnikofronon I.P.E. (Conservative) (1946)

Parties during the reigns of Kings Paul and Constantine II (1946–1973)

• 4th of August Party (Greek: Κόμμα 4ης Αυγούστου) – Κ4Α (Nationalist) (1965–1977)
• Center Union (Greek: Ένωση Κέντρου) – Enosi Kentrou, E.K. (Liberal) (1961–1967)
• Christian Democracy (Greek: Χριστιανική Δημοκρατία) – Christianikē Dēmokratia(socialist) (1963)
• Communist Party of Greece (Interior) (Greek: Κομμουνιστικό Κόμμα Ελλάδας Εσωτερικού) – KKE Esoterikou (Eurocommunism) (1968–1986)
• Democratic Socialist Party of Greece (Greek: Δημοκρατικό Σοσιαλιστικό Κόμμα Ελλάδος, ΔΣΚ) – DSK (Democratic Socialist) (1935–1950)
• Greek Rally (Greek: Ελληνικός Συναγερμός Ε.Σ.) – Ellinikos Synagermos E.S. (Conservative, Royalist) (1951–1956)
• Politically Independent Alignment (Greek: Πολιτική Ανεξάρτητός Παράταξις Π.Α.Π.) – Politiki Anexartitos Parataxis PAP (Metaxist) (1950–?)
• Left Liberals (Greek: Αριστεροί Φιλελεύθεροι Α.Φ.) – Aristeroi Fileleutheroi AF (communist) (1950–?)
• Liberal Democratic Center (Greek: Φιλελεύθερον Δημοκρατικόν Κέντρον Φ.Δ.Κ.)– Filelefthero Dimokratiko Kentro FDK (Liberal) (1965–1966)
• Liberal Democratic Union (Greek: Φιλελεύθερη Δημοκρατική Ένωση Φ.Δ.Ε.) – coalition of Republican and Liberal parties (1956)
• Liberal Party (Greek: Κόμμα Φιλελευθέρων) (Liberal, Liberal Nationalist) (1910–1961)
• Movement for Democracy and Socialism (Greek: Κίνημα Δημοκρατίας και Σοσιαλισμού) – (socialist) (1963)
• National Party of Greece (Greek: Εθνικόν Κόμμα 'Ελλάδος E.Κ.E.) – Ethnikon Komma Ellados E.K.E. (Monarchist-Conservative) (1946–1967)
• National Progressive Center Union (Greek: Εθνική Προοδευτική Ένωσις Κέντρου E.Π.Ε.Κ.) – Ethniki Proodeutiki Enosi Kentrou EPEK (1952)
• National Progressive Party (Greek: Δημοκρατικό Προοδευτικό Κόμμα Δ.Π.Κ.) – Dimokratiko Proodeutiko Komma DPK (1950–?)
• National Radical Union (Greek: Εθνική Ριζοσπαστική Ένωσις E.Ρ.E.) – Ethniki Rizospastiki Enosis E.R.E. (Conservative, Royalist) (1955–1967)
• New Party (Greek: Νέο Κόμμα N.K.) – Neo Komma NK (conservative) (1947–1951)
• Pandemocratic Agrarian Front (Greek: Πανδημοκρατικόν Αγροτικόν Μέτωπον) – Pandimokratikon Agrotikon Metopon (Socialist) (1961)
• Party of Christian Democracy (1956)
• Party of I. Sofianopoulos (Greek: Κόμμα του Ι. Σοφιανόπουλου) – Komma tou I. Sofianopoulou (communist) (1950–?)
• Party of Progressive Liberals (Greek: Κόμμα των Προοδευτικών Φιλελευθέρων) – Komma ton Prodethikon Fileleutheron (liberal) (1950–?)
• People's Social Party (Greek: Λαϊκόν Κοινωνικόν Κόμμα Λ.Κ.Κ.) – Laikon Koinonikon Komma LKK (1955)
• Progressive Party (Greek: Προοδευτικόν Κόμμα Π.Κ.) – Proodeftikon Komma PK (1928–1964, 1981)
• Progressive Rural Democratic Union (1958)
• Rally of Farmers and Workers (Parataxis Agroton kai Ergazomenon) – ?? (Agrarian) (1951–1952)
• Socialist Party-Democratic Popular Union (Greek: Σοσιαλιστικό Κόμμα-Ένωση Λαïκής Δημοκρατίας Σ.Κ.-Ε.Λ.Δ.) – Sosialistiko Komma-Enosi Laikis Dimokratias SK-ELD (Socialist) (1950–1952)
• Union of the People's Party (1958)
• United Democratic Left (Greek: Ενιαία Δημοκρατική Αριστερά Ε.Δ.Α. – Eniaia Dimokratiki Aristera EDA (Communist) (1951–1977)

Parties during the Third Hellenic Republic (1974–present)

• Center Union - New Forces (Greek: Ένωσις Κέντρου-Νέες Δυνάμεις) – Enosi Kentrou-Nees Dynameis (Social Democratic, Liberal) (1974–1977)
• Democratic Alignment (Greek: Δημοκρατική Παράταξη Δ.Π.) – Dimokratiki Parataxi DP (1977)
• Democratic Alliance (Greek: Δημοκρατική Συμμαχία Δ.Σ.) – Dimokratiki Symmahia DS (Centrist, neoliberal) (2010–2012)
• Democratic Renewal (Greek: Δημοκρατική Ανανέωση DH.ANA) – Dimokratiki Ananeosi DIANA (Conservative) (1985–1994)
• Democratic Revival (Greek: Δημοκρατική Αναγέννηση Δ.Α.) – Dimokratiki Anagenissi DA (National Conservative, Christian Socialist) (2004, 2007–)
• Democrat Socialists' Movement (Greek: Κίνημα Δημοκρατών Σοσιαλιστών) – Kinima Demokraton Sostialiston (2015–)
• Drachmi Greek Democratic Movement Five Stars (Patriotic Socialism, eurosceptic) (2013–)
• Ecologists of Greece (Greek: Οικολόγοι Ελλάδας Ο.Ε.) – Oikologoi Elladas OE (Green conservative, rightist populist) (1988–)
• Greek Left (Greek: Ελληνική Αριστερά) Eurocommunism, Radicalism, Democratic Socialism (1987–1992)
• Hellenic Front (Greek: Ελληνικό Μέτωπο) – Elliniko Metopo (Nationalist, Rightist) (1994–2004)
• Hellenic Women's Political Party (Greek: Κόμμα Ελληνίδων Γυναικών) – Komma Ellinidon Ginaikon (Feminist) (?-?)
• Liberal Democratic Union-Socialist Party (Greek: Φιλελεύθερη Δημοκρατική Ένωση-Σοσιαλιστικό Κόμμα Φ.Δ.Ε.-Σ.Κ.) – ?? (1974)
• The Liberals (Greek: Οι Φιλελεύθεροι) – Oi Fileleftheroi (Liberal) (1999–2004)
• Movement of Free Citizens (Greek: Κίνημα Ελευθέρων Πολιτών, Κ.Ε.Π.) – Kinima Eleftheron Politon K.E.P. (Right of Center) (2001–2002)
• Movement for a United Communist Party of Greece (Greek: Κίνηση για Ενιαίο ΚΚΕ) (communist) (1993–1996)
• National Alignment (Greek: Εθνική Παράταξις Ε.Π.)- Ethniki Parataxis (E.P.) (Nationalist, Royalist) (1977)
• National Democratic Union (Greek: Εθνική Δημοκρατική Ένωσις ) – Ethniki Dimokratiki Enosis (Rightist) (1974)
• National Political Union E.P.EN. (Greek: Εθνική Πολιτική Ένωσις Ε.Π.ΕΝ.) – Ethniki Politiki Enosis, E.P.EN. (Rightist, Nationalist) (1984–1996)
• Organisation of Communists Marxists-Leninists of Greece (Greek: Οργάνωση Κομμουνιστών Μαρξιστών-Λενινιστών Ελλάδας ΟΚΜΛΕ) (communist, maoist) (1982–1993)
• Panathinaikos Movement (Greek: Παναθηναικό Κίνημα ΠΑΝ.ΚΙ)(2012–)
• Panhellenic Macedonian Front (Greek: Πανελλήνιο Μακεδονικό Μέτωπο, ΠΑ.Μ.ΜΕ.) (2009 – ?)
• Party of Democratic Socialism (Greek: Κόμμα του Δημοκρατικού Σοσιαλισμού ΚΟΔΗΣΟ) – Komma tou Dimokratikou Sosialismou KODISO (social democratic, democratic socialist) (1981–)
• Party of Hellenism (Greek: Κόμμα Ελληνισμού) – Komma Ellinismou (Nationalist, Populist) (1984–2004)
• Party of New Liberals (Greek: Kόμμα των Nεοφιλελευθέρων K.N.) – Komma ton Neofileftheron KN (Liberal, Liberal Conservative) (1977–1978)
• Patriotic Alliance (Greek: Πατριωτική Συμμαχία) – Patriotiki Symmachia – PATRI.S. (Nationalist, Far Right) (2004–2007)
• Peoples Democratic Unity – LDE (1977)
• Political Spring (Greek: Πολιτική Άνοιξη) – POL.AN (Right-Conservative, Nationalist) (1993–2004)
• Popular Union of Bipartisan Social Groups (Greek: Λαϊκές Ενώσεις Υπερκομματικών Κοινωνικών Ομάδων) – LEFKO (Populist) (1989–)
• Progress and Left Forces Alliance (Greek: Συμμαχία Προοδευτικών και Αριστερών Δυνάμεων) Democratic socialism, Christian socialism, Eurocommunism, Radicalism (1977–1981)
• Progressive Party (Greek: Προοδευτικόν Κόμμα Π.Κ.) – Proodeftikon Komma PK (1928–1964, 1981)
• Front Line (Greek: Πρώτη Γραμμή) – Proti Grammi (Nationalist) (1999–?)
• Radical Left Front (Greek: Μέτωπο Ριζοσπαστικής Αριστεράς)- ME.R.A. (Radical Left)
• Radical Movement of Social Democratic Alliance (Greek: Ριζοσπαστική Κίνηση Σοσιαλδημοκρατικής Συμμαχίας) – RIKSSY (Social democracy) (2012–2013)
• Rainbow (Greek: Ουράνιο Τόξο Ouránio Tóxo, Slavic Macedonian: Виножито Vinožito)
• Republican Union (Greek: Δημοκρατική Ένωσις Δ.Ε.) – Dimokratiki Enosis DE
• Revolutionary Communist Party of Greece (Greek: Επαναστατικό Κουμουνιστικό Κόμμα 'Ελλάδος ) – Epanastatiko Koumounistiko Komma Ellados-EKKE (communist) (1974)
• United Democratic Left (Greek: Ενιαία Δημοκρατική Αριστερά – Eniaia Dimokratiki Aristera) Democratic socialism, Communism, Pacifism (1951–1977)
• United Left (Greek: Ενωμένη Αριστερά) Communism, Democratic socialism, Eurocommunism (1974–1977)
• United Nationalist Movement (Greek: Ενιαίο Εθνικιστικό Κίνημα ΕΝ.Ε.Κ.) – Eniaio Ethnikistiko Kinima ENEK (Extreme Right, Nationalist) (1979–1989)
• United Socialist Alignment of Greece (Greek: Ενιαία Σοσιαλιστική Παράταξη Ελλάδας Ε.Σ.Π.Ε.) – Eniaia Sosialistiki Parataxi Elladas (Socialist) (1984–1989)

See also

• Politics of Greece

Further reading

• Lyrintzis, Christos (March 2005). "The Changing Party System: Stable Democracy, Contested 'Modernisation'". West European Politics. 28 (2): 242–259. doi:10.1080/01402380500058845.

• Pappas, Takis S. (April 2003). "The transformation of the Greek party system since 1951". West European Politics. 26 (2): 90–114. doi:10.1080/01402380512331341121.

• Here Are The Parties That Really Matter In Greece's Upcoming Election via Bloomberg Politics. Retrieved 24 January 2015.

References