This article gives an overview of liberalism in Greece. Liberal parties in Greece are largely committed to liberalism, republicanism and democracy. It is limited to liberal parties.
Since 2015, classical liberalism has seen a surge in popularity. Surveys conducted in 2019 and 2023 found that approximately 20% of the population self-identified as liberal.
History Each of the following sections describes an element of Greek liberalism, beginning with the 19th century.
From Modernist Party to the Center Union 1875: The Modernist Party (Neoteristikon Komma) is formed 1910: A resurrected Liberal Party (Komma Fileleftheron) is formed under Eleftherios Venizelos 1935: Faction around Georgios Papandreou forms the Democratic Socialist Party of Greece 1936: All political parties are banned in Greece under Ioannis Metaxas' dictatorship, but a liberal movement remained present 1941: The Greek government in exile contains mostly liberal politicians 1946: Start of the Greek Civil War, lasting until 1949 1946: Liberal fraction led by Themistoklis Sophoulis continues under the Liberal Party name 1956: Liberal Party takes part in the elections of 1956 in the Liberal Democratic Union (Filelefthero Dimokratiko Kentro) coalition 1961: Liberal Party merges into the Centre Union
From Democratic Socialist Party to the Center Union 1935: A faction of the Liberal Party around Georgios Papandreou forms the Democratic Socialist Party of Greece 1936: All political parties are banned in Greece under Ioannis Metaxas' dictatorship, but a liberal movement remained present 1941: The Greek government in exile contains mostly liberal politicians 1946: Start of the Greek Civil War, lasting until 1949 1946: Liberal faction led by Georgios Papandreou is part of the National Political Union alliance 1949: National Progressive Union of the Centre (Ethniki Proodeutiki Enosis Kentrou, EPEK) is founded by Nikolaos Plastiras after the Greek Civil War and disappears in 1956. The remains of the party merged into Center Union. 1956: Liberal faction led by Georgios Papandreou is part of the Liberal Democratic Union coalition
From Center Union to Union of the Democratic Center 1961: Georgios Papandreou forms the Centre Union (Enosi Kentrou) 1965: Right-wing faction of the Center Union forms the short-lived Liberal Democratic Center 1967: Start of the Military Junta continuing until 1974 1974: Centre Union - New Forces (Enosi Kentrou-Nees Dynameis) is formed by George Mavros 1974: Ioannis Zigdis forms the Democratic Center Union which merges into the Union of the Democratic Centre in 1976 1976: Union of the Democratic Centre is formed as successor of the Centre Union - New Forces 1981: Nikitas Venizelos splits from Union of the Democratic Centre and revives the Liberal Party of his grandfather, which has participated in elections since. 2012: The Liberal Party vanished.
Party of New Liberals 1977: Constantine Mitsotakis forms the Party of New Liberals which merges into New Democracy in 1978
Union of Centrists 1990: Centre (Κέντρο) is founded by George G. Papandreou, son of Georgios Papandreou. 1992: Union of Centrists (Enosi Kentroon) is founded by Vassilis Leventis and by Centre.
The Liberals and Drassi 1999: A short-lived libertarian party is founded by Stefanos Manos, The Liberals espousing a laissez-faire political platform, such as social liberal policies. The party was dissolved in October 2001. The party's founder cooperated with PASOK in 2004, after George Papandreou's invitation to be honorarily elected as member of the Greek parliament under PASOK's flag, and founded yet another party, "Drassi", in 2009, this time refusing to use the term "liberal" and claiming it was based upon "common sense".
Liberal Alliance February 2007: Establishment of the Liberal Alliance, advocating economic and social liberal policies.
Recreate Greece December 2011: A new classical liberal party emerged after the Greek government-debt crisis. The party aimed to establish a flat tax system and to limit the state. In May 2012 the electoral coalition of Recreate Greece, Drassi and the Liberal Alliance was announced.
Liberal leaders
Liberal Party: Eleftherios Venizelos - Themistoklis Sophoulis - Sophoklis Venizelos National Progressive Union of the centre: Nikolaos Plastiras Centre Union: Georgios Papandreou - George Mavros Union of the Democratic Center: George Mavros - Ioannis Zigdis Party of New Liberals: Constantine Mitsotakis
See also History of Greece Politics of Greece List of political parties in Greece Venizelism
References