Led by current Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Nea Demokratia has held a dominant position in the Hellenic Parliament since 2019, leaving a profound and lasting impact on modern Greek politics. The party traces its roots back to the aftermath of the Junta’s fall in 1974 when it became the first political party to lead Greece after the restoration of democracy. Nea Demokratia was established by former Prime Minister Konstantinos Karamanlis, with the founding goal of guiding Greek society out of the chaos left in the wake of the Junta’s reign. Karamanlis outlined the party’s early principles in a speech to Greek citizens on October 4, 1974, stating: “New Democracy is the political party that identifies the nation with the people, the homeland with its people, the state with its citizens, national independence with popular sovereignty, progress with the common good, political freedom with the rule of law and social justice.” This charter reflected the attitudes and aspirations of the Greek people following the collapse of the Junta and echoed the party’s namesake: a vision of a New Democracy for a New Greece.
In the decades since Nea Demokratia’s rise to power, the party has maintained significant political capital within Greece and the European Union. Its political ideology can be described as neo-liberal, pan-European, with a conservative orientation. Throughout its history, the party has served as the default center-right party in Greece, with PASOK acting as its center-left counterpart.
New Democracy’s latest platform is founded upon a socially liberal ideology. Much of the platform references the ideals of equality, freedom, and social justice. Their policies of limited government, low taxes, and non-intervention accurately reflect their broader ideology which mirrors that of the Libertarian wing of the Republican party in America. Since the mid-70s, Nea Demokratia has governed Greece five times and served in opposition four times. Notably, between 2012 and 2015, the party formed a coalition government with PASOK after securing just 18 percent of the vote in the parliamentary elections.
The current government of Nea Demokratia defeated Syriza’s government from 2015 to 2019 by a margin of eight percent, garnering 39 percent of the total vote. This result enabled a clear majority and allowed Nea Demokratia to form a government under party leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Their 2019 election platform was summed up by the slogan: “Strong growth, robust Greece.” This mandate sought to move Greece beyond the aftermath of the 2009 financial crisis, the subsequent bailouts and austerity measures under the previous Nea Demokratia coalition, and the political instability caused by SYRIZA. What they offered the Greek people was a return to stability and a path to economic restoration.
In the six years since Mitsotakis assumed leadership, Greece’s economy has experienced significant growth, while illegal immigration has decreased, driven by stricter migration policies and more efficient asylum processes. In 2022, Greece repaid its debt from the first bailout to European countries two years ahead of schedule, the first time such a feat has occurred. Additionally – and perhaps most notably – Greece’s international credit rating has risen to Baa3 under Nea Demokratia, according to Moody’s. This reflects a positive outlook and a departure from the nation’s former “junk status” rating.
Although Greece’s debt remains an uphill battle, Nea Demokratia’s actions have successfully steered the country’s fiscal situation in the right direction. Nea Demokratia has also taken pride in its efforts to digitize various bureaucratic sectors.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis survived a vote of no confidence in March 2024 after media reports emerged alleging his government had manipulated evidence following the Tempi Railway Disaster.
Despite these positive developments, no government is perfect. Mitsotakis and Nea Demokratia have faced public criticism for their extremely harsh COVID-19 lockdown and prevention measures, with consecutive lockdowns and strict vaccine mandates fostering widespread resentment among the Greek populace. This strict approach drew praise from European Union institutions, but it was highly controversial throughout its implementation.
Likewise, allegations of government corruption have damaged the Mitsotakis administration’s reputation. Public outrage over their handling of the Tempi Railway Disaster has contributed to a decline in party support. According to a Metron Analysis poll, Nea Demokratia holds a 28% support margin, 14 points ahead of second-place PASOK. This marks a drop from their 39% majority in 2019, and if elections were held today, Nea Demokratia would need to form a coalition to retain power.
Their most significant political shift has been a move toward the center, away from the right. Stemming from its focus on stability and economic growth, Nea Demokratia has adjusted its rhetoric to resonate with centrist and center-left voters. The party can now be accurately characterized as socially liberal and fiscally conservative. The exodus of former Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and the rise in popularity of the Voice of Reason (Phoni Logikis) party signals the growing distance between New Democracy and socially-conservative Greek voters.
As elections are still more than two years away, it is uncertain whether Mitsotakis can rally additional support or if he will make policy compromises to maintain the control Nea Demokratia have enjoyed over the past six years. For now, the party appears to have shifted towards a broad center-left, pro-European stance, moving away from its center-right conservative roots. This, along with other political developments within and outside Greece, has contributed to a decline in support from right-wing voters.