The results of the electoral contest indicate that voters overwhelmingly opted for the removal of the Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) , the party that has dominated Greek politics for all but 3 of the last 23 years. With 99.9% of votes accounted for, New Democracy’s (ND) win over PASOK stood at around 4.81%, a clear victory in what was expected to be a very close election . In an official ceremony held Monday, March 8, President Costis Stephanopoulos appointed New Democracy’s leader Costas Karamanlis as Greece’s new prime minister.
The elections ran smoothly, with millions of Greek citizens flocking to their native lands to cast ballots. Voting is compulsory in Greece, a country of over 11 million inhabitants and nearly 9 million registered voters .
Booths closed at 7 pm on Sunday evening and the first exit polls successfully predicting Karamanlis’ victory were released only minutes thereafter. Socialist leader George Papandreou conceded defeat shortly before 9:30 pm that same night after analysts concluded that ND’s lead, of more than five percentage points at that stage, could not be overturned.
New Democracy’s 45.36% of the popular vote will translate into a majority of 165 seats in the 300-strong parliament , while PASOK’s 40.55% will result in 117 seats. Two smaller parties also won parliamentary representation: the Greek Communist Party (KKE) with 5.9% and 12 seats and left-wing Coalition of the Radical Left , which fought till the early hours to surpass the 3% threshold and secure 6 seats in the new parliament.
Winds of change
Despite the election night’s emotionally charged climate, PASOK leader Papandreou handled ND’s massive victory with careful combination of humility and poise. "New Democracy has won the elections,” he started off his televised address less than three hours after the election’s closure. “I wish Karamanlis success in his work for the good of Greece," Papandreou added. He also pledged the Socialists’ support for a “just and viable solution” to the Cyprus issue . “For us, the Cyprus problem is of the utmost importance. It is going through a difficult phase,” remarked Papandreou in his concession speech.
Top PASOK officials were clearly surprised at the magnitude of their defeat, resolving to radically renew the party while in opposition. As the Socialists coolly assessed their new position on the sideline of Greek politics, Conservatives rejoiced. Celebrations erupted outside the New Democracy headquarters Sunday night as an obviously pleased, but relatively reserved, Karamanlis greeted supporters from the balcony of the party’s head office on Rigillis Street. Karamanlis was later shuttled through the hordes of carousing fans to Zappeion Mansion, where he delivered a nationally televised statement.
Interpreting the landslide victory as a mandate for reform, a victorious Karamanlis told Greek voters, “Today, with your vote, you confirmed your clear demand for political change.” The triumphant ND leader vowed to deliver “immediately” on his campaign pledges for social reforms and to “put the citizen at the centre of politics.”
Yet, an acute awareness that the Conservatives will have no time to bask in the glory of electoral success forced Karamanlis to temper the night’s festive tone. “Today’s decision is a great honour for us and a great responsibility. I am involved in politics so as to serve,” announced the Prime Minister-elect . Overall, Karamanlis’ message was a cooperative one: “Today there are no winners and no losers. The Greeks have entrusted us with their dreams and hopes. Together we are starting a new page.”
Driver’s seat
At 47 years of age Karamanlis is the youngest man to rule post-WW II Greece and will be in government for the first time. His New Democracy party was founded by his uncle and namesake in 1974, when the seven-year military dictatorship ended and democracy was restored .
Despite his young age, Karamanlis totes an impressive CV. After studying law at Athens University and economics at Deree College , Thessaloniki-native Karamanlis headed for the US, where he completed postgraduate studies at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in Boston. Upon his return to Greece Karamanlis successfully tried his hand as a practising lawyer and university lecturer, but eventually chose to follow his pedigree into the world of politics.
Viewed by his peers as a rising star in the New Democracy fold, Karamanlis was elected second Thessaloniki MP with ND in the elections of June 1989 and April 1990, and as first MP in October 1993, September 1996 and April 2000.
In an effort to infuse the party with young blood, ND members elected Karamanlis as party president on March 21, 1997. Since his ascent to ND’s top post, Karamanlis has laboured to reform the party’s image by purging extreme right-wing elements and steering towards moderate, socially sensitive, and centrist ideals. Voter fatigue with PASOK’s marathon tenure in office, coupled with frustration regarding the Socialist’s perceived inability to slash bureaucratic red tape and crack down on cronyism, have given Karamanlis’ popularity a further boost in recent years.
