Greece
The Hellenic Republic (Greece) exhibits high range performance in two categories (Representation and Rights) of the Global State of Democracy (GSoD) framework, and it performs in the mid-range in Rule of Law and Participation. Greece is among the top 25 per cent of countries with regard to the majority of factors in the GSoD framework. Between 2018-2023, it has suffered notable declines in measures of Effective Parliament, Civil Liberties, Freedom of Expression, and Access to Justice. Following decade-long debt crises, the country is now experiencing an economic rebound. Its economy depends mainly on the services and tourism sectors.
Greece endured nearly 400 years of Ottoman rule following 1453, leading to the Greek Revolution of 1821 and formal independence in 1832. Post-WWII Greece saw a period of democratic reforms, which were interrupted by a military dictatorship (1967-1974). The junta imposed a regime that claimed to protect Greece from communism and promote a "Hellenic-Christian" ideology, resulting in persecution and erosion of rights, particularly of those in the left wing. Alongside growing resistance, the junta's collapse in 1974 was triggered by their failed coup in Cyprus, which led to a Turkish invasion and the island's partition. The transition to democracy, known as ‘Metapolitefsi,’ saw the return of former Prime Minister Konstantine Karamanlis from exile and marked significant political transformation.
In 2015, the left gained prominence by pledging to resist EU technocracy, austerity, and corporate power. However, after being seen as failing to uphold these promises, including accepting EU-imposed austerity, they were defeated by the liberal-conservatives in both 2019 and 2023. As a result, the traditional left-right political divide is fading, with economic concerns taking center stage for voters. The ongoing debt crisis—the highest in the EU in early 2024, along with unemployment, low wages, and rising living costs, have led to brain drain. High levels of corruption (particularly bribery) and concerns over judicial independence further fuel dissatisfaction. Scandals involving wiretapping by authorities, strategic lawsuits against public participation, and the unresolved murder of an investigative journalist, are among the cases that triggered concerns about the Rule of Law and Freedom of Expression.
Greece’s location on the EU’s South-Eastern flank has made it a primary entry point for migrants seeking refuge. The country has faced scrutiny for abuses against asylum seekers, including violent pushbacks, detention abuses, and vigilante violence. Additionally, the Roma face widespread discrimination and police brutality, and the rights of ethnic Turks in Western Thrace are threatened by state assimilation efforts, despite existing peace and bilateral agreements. Despite efforts to improve relations, long-standing tensions with Türkiye, primarily over territorial disputes and minority rights, continue to influence domestic military focus and high defense spending. Though a secular state, Article 3 of the Greek Constitution recognizes Orthodox Christianity as the “prevailing” faith, granting the Church considerable political influence. Regardless of the Church’s opposition, Greece legalized same-sex marriage in 2024. While the gender pay gap is lower than the EU average, challenges persist with women’s underrepresentation in politics and gender-based violence, despite the adoption of the 2019 Law on Substantive Gender Equality.
Looking ahead, it will be important to watch Economic Equality and Basic Welfare amid remaining economic challenges and efforts to reverse brain drain (and indications of a “brain gain”). Rule of Law, particularly Judicial Independence, should be closely observed, especially following recent measures to address persistent issues. Freedom of Expression and Freedom of the Press are also key areas to watch, as highlighted by NGOs and rights organisations. Finally, in light of discrimination and abuses against migrants and minorities, Social Group Equality and Civil Society should remain key focus areas.
Last updated: August 2024
https://www.idea.int/democracytracker/
May 2024
Interior Ministry receives fine for leaking voters’ personal data
The Data Protection Authority of Greece has found that a file containing the personal email addresses and data of thousands of expatriate voters from the 2023 Greek national elections was leaked from the Interior Ministry to Anna-Michelle Asimakopoulou, an MEP for the ruling New Democracy party. The Interior Ministry was fined EUR 400,000, and Asimakopoulou received a fine of EUR 40,000 for violating voter privacy. Investigations into New Democracy's involvement in the scandal are ongoing, and additional fines may be imposed. Asimakopoulou used the list to send mass campaign emails to Greek expatriates, promoting her re-election bid to the European Parliament on the same day the Interior Ministry sent a separate message to inform voters about postal voting procedures. Asimakopoulou, who previously served as vice-chair of the committee on international trade, has resigned.
Source: Data Protection Authority, Politico, Reuters
Update: On 21 October, the Personal Data Protection Authority issued a fine of EUR 30,000 to the ruling New Democracy party for its involvement in leaking voter records. Its former Secretary for Diaspora Affairs, Nikos Theodoropoulos, was fined an additional EUR 10,000 for leaking the data to Asimakopoulou. The party has sought to appeal the decision.
Sources: Politico, Hellenic Data Protection Authority, Greek Reporter
February 2024
Same sex marriage legalized
On 15 February, the Greek parliament passed a bill legalizing same-sex marriage and granting same-sex couples the ability to adopt, and full parental rights to those with existing children. The bill doesn’t allow same-sex couples to pursue surrogacy, which is currently allowed only for women, single or married, who are unable to have children for health reasons. The bill received 176 votes in favor,76 against, and 31 abstentions. While several members of the Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ centre-right party did not support the bill, it garnered enough support from the leftist opposition to pass. Greece is the first Orthodox Christian country to legalize same-sex marriage. The legalization of same-sex marriage is a divisive issue in Greece with especially strong opposition from the Orthodox Church.
Sources: Greek parliament, Reuters, Balkan Insight, Ekathimerini (1), Ekathimerini (2)
November 2023
Police shooting of 17-year-old Roma boy leads to protests
Police fatally shot an unarmed 17-year-old Roma boy in Boeotia after the driver reportedly evaded a traffic stop leading to a car chase. According to media reports, police related that one of the passengers attempted to steal the officer’s weapon, resulting in it discharging accidentally, whereas the victim’s brother present at the scene has accused the police officer of firing the gun. The officer has been suspended, and prosecutors have charged the officer with homicide and illegal use of a weapon. Greek law allows the use of firearms by police officers only if their safety, or the safety of a third party, is threatened, and prohibits the use of weapons against a person fleeing when called upon to stop. The incident follows previous police shootings of Roma teenagers in December 2022 and October 2021, sparking protests and riots. The killing has triggered debates about police brutality and the treatment of ethnic minorities. Protests have broken out, spearheaded by members of the Roma community, and the Panhellenic Confederation of Greek Roma (Ellan Passe) called on the state to tackle racism and intolerance in connection with the shooting.
Sources: European Roma Rights Centre, Ekathimerini, Al Jazeera (1), Al Jazeera (2), Balkan Insight, Ellan Passe, News 24/7, Civil Protection Ministry
August 2023
Policy failures exacerbate devastation by biggest wildfire recorded in EU
The Syriza opposition party has accused the government of mismanagement of the wildfire and experts say that weaknesses in emergency planning, insufficient coordination between different authorities and the underfunding of the national forestry service have prevented an effective crisis response. Although the government has initiated policy changes, it has shifted the blame to arsonists, arresting 79 people for suspected arson this summer and announcing future tougher penalties for the crime. This has inflamed social divisions, with claims circulating that migrants are committing arson and far-right militias forming to ‘catch’ them. Three vigilantes have been arrested for forcing 13 migrants into a trailer as they blamed them for setting the fires. This prompted the Supreme Court Prosecutor to order an investigation into claims of racism against migrants. Greece saw the largest wildfire recorded in the EU since the bloc started collecting data in 2000. The wildfire has scorched over 80,000 hectares and claimed at least 20 lives, 18 of whom are thought to be migrants.
Sources: ReliefWeb, Kathimerini, Wall Street Journal, British Broadcasting Corporation
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Global ranking per category of democratic performance in 2023
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