Athens (EFE)
The elections of May 21 resulted in a clear victory for the New Democracy (ND) government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis with about 41% of the votes, doubling the 20% that the left-wing formation Syriza added, to which Alexis Tsipras belongs. , but it was not enough for a parliamentary majority with which to govern.
Mitsotakis described his victory as a political “earthquake”, and he is right when you consider that no ruling party has increased its support at the polls in more than 40 years.
Here are seven keys to understanding the new elections.
Prima electoral
Although the results of the vote are expected to be very similar to those of May, their translation into seats will be different. In these elections, a prize of up to 50 seats is reintroduced to the party that comes first in the vote, which will allow the conservatives of New Democracy to add an absolute majority if they repeat the result.
A percentage of around 39% would be enough for Mitsotakis to win an absolute majority in the Hellenic chamber of 300 seats.
The polls
The main parties will obtain percentages similar to those of May and ND would add 41% of the votes, more than enough to win an absolute majority. Syriza would repeat with 20% while the Pasok-Kinal socialists would reach 12%.
promises
Mitsotakis presents himself as the only option for a stable government and promises to keep Greece on the path of economic growth. Alexis Tsipras, for his part, advocates for an economy with more social justice and has criticized the weakening of the rule of law.
The economy
Economic management was a crucial factor in the May elections and the victory of ND. In a country still traumatized by the cuts of the past decade and in which the gross domestic product (GDP) fell by 25% due to austerity measures, the great support for Mitsotakis is explained by the fact that the Greeks have given him credit for stabilize the economy, with the return of investments, a growth above the average of the European Union, although the current GDP remains below the level of 2010, when the debt crisis began.
There is also concern about inflation, but the Greeks opted for continuity with Mitsotakis and not for change.
Rule of law
Although during the Mitsotakis government there were scandals that could have threatened his popularity, such as a case of wiretapping of an opposition politician and journalists, the electorate supported the party, which they consider guarantees economic recovery.
Despite the fact that not a few citizens perceive democratic setbacks with the center-right Executive, the Greeks voted with their pockets. Greece, for example, is the last EU country in Reporters Without Borders’ Freedom of the Press index.
Migration
Mitsotakis defines his immigration policy as “tough but fair” and promised to protect the borders and reduce the arrival of asylum seekers. However, Mitsotakis has come under fire for “hot pushbacks” and the rejection of migrant boats at sea, something Athens has denied.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), human rights groups and aid organizations have condemned these expulsions, calling them flagrant violations of international law. Still, these criticisms will not stop conservative voters from supporting Mitsotakis, as he followed through on his promise to drastically reduce asylum claims.
Open refugee camps near the borders, such as those on Lesbos, have been replaced by “controlled and closed” access centers, funded by the EU. The latest shipwreck off the coast of Greece, with probably hundreds of deaths, is not likely to take its toll on Mitsotakis at the polls either.
Changes in the opposition
After the defeat in May, Syriza’s goal is no longer to unseat Mitsotakis, but to halt its own decline and prevent the Pasok socialists from becoming the main progressive party. The Greek left, led by Syriza, suffered a major setback with the May results. Voters showed a loss of confidence in Tsipras.