Greek Electoral See Saw Favours New Democracy
Modern Greek politics has often felt like a seesaw in a children’s playground. Election after election, the Government's side of the saw has experienced a collapse in their support. Since 1974, no Greek governing party has improved their results at the election following their time in office – until this year. The achievement of New Democracy garnering 40.8% of the vote at the May election is unparalleled and speaks to the faith that the Greek people put in our plan and our passion for restoring the Greek economy. But as the second election is approaching, the question is: Can we do it again?
Polls reveal that the Greek electorate has not lost the confidence they showed in the Government last month. Politico research indicates New Democracy is up 2%, giving my party 42% of the vote compared to just 20% for the far-left opposition. It is also the case that many voters who lent their vote to smaller parties at the last election will now switch their votes to New Democracy, given that the stakes are so high. We are now on course to repeat our national surge which, during the last election in May, won in 58 out of 59 of Greece’s Parliamentary constituencies.
Why and how has New Democracy created and sustained mass popularity after five difficult years? It has been achieved by offering a solid, brave, and ambitious plan that Greeks of all generations can invest in. In the past, the economic radicalism of Syriza appealed to younger voters. Now, New Democracy is succeeding in persuading all generations to vote for prosperity instead of chaos, particularly among young people, winning 31.5% of 17–24-year-olds and 30.1% of 25-34-year-olds, while Syriza won 28.8% and 27.4%. Based on this data, it is clear that our message of economic growth and stability resonates with young people, particularly at a time when youth employment hovers at a staggering 27%.
As underlined by Skopeliti in The Guardian in May, many New Democracy voters define themselves as ‘centre left’ but backed my party anyway. Winning over so many who are instinctively disinclined to support a liberal, centre-right party is a tribute to the success of the current Government and the result of the sheer extremism and dogmatic nature of the opposition. Syriza’s Euroscepticism, its refusal to reform the public sector and its mismanagement of the economy between 2015 and 2019 loom large in voters’ minds.
Only fools and mystics claim they can predict the future of the political landscape, but the evidence points in one direction as we approach the second election. My party is on course for a historic third victory in a row based on the electorate’s support for a strong, stable Government with a clear plan. Until the Greek left can come up with a strategy for growth and prosperity they can’t expect to win again. The right side of the seesaw will continue to ride high whilst the left will be stuck on the ground.
Guest article by Christina Georgaki
