2023 Patras Municipal election was held on 8 October 2023 to elect the mayor of Patras as a part of the 2023 Greek Local elections. It moved to a second round run-off that took place a week later, on 15 October, between incumbent Kostas Peletidis backed by KKE and New Democracy supporter Kostantinos Svolis with no party support.
As all municipal elections in Greece the system used is one of 2-round proportional representation with reinforced proportinality.
KKE candidate Kostas Peletidis got reelected to the position of mayor with a smaller percentage in contrast to the last time but also became one of the few KKE candidates that came victorious in the 2023 Greek Local elections. Receiving an absolute 3/5s majority in the municipal council as per a new electoral law.
Background
Previous Election Incumbent KKE candidate Kostas Peletidis came first with 40.6% winning 20 out of the 49 seats, with Independent candidate Grigoris Alexopoulos coming second being defeated in the second round with KKE candidate being ahead with an over 40 point margin, yet this being with the previous electoral law Peletidis failed to achieve a full majority in the council. +2019 Patras municipal election resultListSeatsVote share 1stVote share 2ndLaiki Syspirosi Patras2040.6070.86Protevousa Xana!816.0129.14Patra Enomeni713.97Nea Patra47.58Ora Patron36.68Spiral16.38Patra: I diki mas Poli!12.63Dimotiki kinisi koinotiton12.03Patra Diethnis Sychroni Poli11.85Anypotakti Politeia11.43Antarsia gia tin Patra00.42Antikapitalistiki Anatropi - Antarsia stin Patra00.42 Source:"Municipal elections – May 2019"
Electoral System The New Democracy government changed the law on local elections, enacting "Law 4804/2021". As per this law, "The distribution of municipal or regional council seats between the successful and runner-up list is done by a system of Reinforced proportionality, so that the successful combination holds at least 3/5 of the council seats.". Also stating that when it comes to the percentage needed for a list to enter the council and the percentage needed or the elections to lack a second round that "[...] in order for a list to be entitled to at least one seat on the municipal or district council, it must receive at least 3% of the valid ballots in the first round of elections. The combination that received at least 43% of the valid ballots plus one vote in the first round is declared successful and its head is elected mayor or regional governor."
Results CandidateListParty Support% First Round1st Round Votes % Second Round2nd Round Votes SeatsKostas PeletidisPopular Coalition of Patras MunicipalityKKE39.9534,77456.6940,57726Kostantinos SvolisUnited PatrasIndependent27.3426,10032.6724,4137Vasileios AivalisPatras Glorious AgainPASOK and Syriza19.7117,1566Petros PsomasSpiralIndependent14.8112,8904 Source:2023 Patras municipal election Results ypes.gov Retrieved 1 March 2025
References