Greek Elections: New Democracy Party Sees Landslide Victory, Mitsotakis Wins Second Term as PM

New Democracy President Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Photo source: @kmitsotakis / Twitter

Kyriakos Mitsotakis won a second four-year term as Prime Minister of Greece after the conservative New Democracy (ND) party secured a parliamentary majority on Sunday.

With nearly all votes counted in Greece’s second election in five weeks, the ND party passed its main rival Syriza with over 40.5 percent of the vote. SYRIZA almost 18 percent, down from some 20 percent from the previous election on May 21.

Speaking from party headquarters after his landslide victory, the president of ND said that the people with their vote “ended a traumatic cycle of lies and toxicity” in a resounding and mature way.

“I thank the Greek men and women for their trust. This generous support increases the responsibility to live up to their hopes. Personally, I feel a heavier duty to serve the country. I never promise miracles, but I assure you that I will remain faithful to my national duty, with a plan of dedication and hard work, without tolerating any arrogance,” he stressed.

8 parties to enter Greek Parliament

With more than 40 percent of the vote, ND earns at least 158 seats in the 300-seat parliament.

A total of eight parties will share the 300 seats in Greek Parliament. They include left-wing Syriza; social democratic PASOK (received 11.86 percent of the vote); Communist Party of Greece-KKE (7.67 percent); far-right Spartans party (4.68 percent); far-right, populist Elliniki Lisi (Greek Solution) party (4.45 percent); far-right, religious Niki (Victory) party (3.70 percent); and Plefsi Eleftherias (Course of Freedom) party (3.17 percent).

New Democracy’s vision for the next four years

New Democracy headquarters. Photo source: @kmitsotakis / Twitter

Describing the vision of ND for the next four years, Mitsotakis said that “our goals are and must be high, in a second term that can transform Greece: with dynamic growth rates that will increase wages and reduce inequalities, with better public and free health, with a more efficient and digital state and a strong homeland, at the forefront of Europe”.

“We have both the plan and the experience to make all of this a reality… I know the expectations are high… But the people gave us a secure majority. The major reforms, therefore, will proceed with speed, as this is what the choice of the Greek people requires. And I will honor this choice fully,” he assured.

Mitsotakis was Greece’s prime minister from 2019 until stepping down in May after the general elections, held under a different electoral system, did not grant the leading party an outright majority to form a government. A caretaker government followed until Sunday’s poll which used a different electoral system that gave the leading party bonus seats depending on voter support.

Voter turnout was low on Sunday, as only some 53 percent of Greeks voted, compared to over 61 percent in the May election.

“For the second time all of Greece is blue. The election result justified our efforts. The Greek people have given us a strong mandate to go steadily, boldly forward,” said Mitsotakis.

“From tomorrow morning we roll up our sleeves again and begin the effort to build together a strong Greece, a homeland with more prosperity, with more justice for everyone… An even better day dawns for everyone tomorrow,” he concluded.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis will be sworn in as prime minister of Greece for the 2023 – 2027 term on Monday, June 26, at 1pm at the Presidential Palace before the President of the Republic.

Greece’s new government will be announced either on Monday evening or Tuesday morning.