Politics of Greece
The politics of Greece is characterized by a parliamentary representative democratic republic, whereby the President of Greece serves as the head of state and the Prime Minister acts as the head of government. The country has a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government, while legislative power is vested in both the government and the Hellenic Parliament.
Political System
Historically, the Greek political system transitioned from a monarchy to a republic in the early 20th century. The restoration of democracy took place in 1974, following the fall of the Greek junta or Regime of the Colonels, a right-wing military junta that had ruled since 1967. This marked the beginning of the Third Hellenic Republic.
Legislative Branch
The Greek Parliament is unicameral and comprises 300 members elected for four-year terms. The electoral system used is a form of proportional representation, which encourages the presence of a broad spectrum of political parties.
Executive Branch
The President is elected by the Parliament and has a largely ceremonial role, while the Prime Minister is typically the leader of the party with the majority in Parliament. The Prime Minister's position is crucial, as they orchestrate the formulation of policies and administration of government affairs.
Judiciary
The Greek judiciary is independent and follows the civil law system. It is comprised of three levels: the Supreme Civil and Criminal Court, the Council of State, and the Court of Auditors.
Political Parties
Since the restoration of democracy, Greek politics have been dominated by two major political parties:
- New Democracy: A liberal-conservative party that has frequently played a significant role in Greek politics.
- PASOK (Panhellenic Socialist Movement): It is a social-democratic party, which has also been one of the leading parties in the country's political scene.
Other notable parties include the Communist Party of Greece, the Coalition of the Radical Left, and emerging parties such as Niki and the Spartans, which reflect the evolving political landscape.
Modern Political Challenges
Greece has faced numerous political challenges in the 21st century, most notably the Greek government-debt crisis, which began in 2009. This crisis led to significant economic reform and austerity measures, reshaping the Greek political system and causing shifts in voter allegiances. The crisis also affected Greece's relationship with the European Union, as the country was subject to strict financial oversight and support mechanisms.