1935 Greek monarchy referendum

1935 Greek monarchy referendum was a plebiscite held to decide on the restoration of the Kingdom of Greece under the exiled King George II. It followed a period of political instability marked by the 11 September 1922 Revolution, the Second Hellenic Republic, and a failed republican coup earlier in the year. The vote, organized by the royalist government of Georgios Kondylis, resulted in an overwhelming majority in favor of restoration, though the conduct and legitimacy of the referendum were widely disputed.

Background

The political landscape leading to the vote was defined by the deep national schism between Venizelists and royalists that had intensified since the National Schism of World War I. The monarchy had been abolished following a 1924 plebiscite, establishing the Second Hellenic Republic. This republic was unstable, experiencing numerous coups, including the 1935 Greek coup d'état attempt led by Venizelist officers like Nikolaos Plastiras. The failure of this revolt enabled a royalist resurgence, with General Georgios Kondylis overthrowing the republican government and installing a regime favorable to the exiled House of Glücksburg. Kondylis, acting as Prime Minister, moved swiftly to legitimize the restoration through a national vote, suppressing republican opposition and controlling the electoral apparatus.

Referendum details

The plebiscite was scheduled for 3 November 1935 and was conducted under a state of martial law and significant government control. The ballot posed a simple question on the restoration of the monarchy, with voters using different colored ballots. The electoral process was overseen by the royalist administration of Georgios Kondylis, with the Hellenic Army and security forces playing a prominent role in maintaining order, which critics argued amounted to intimidation. Key republican leaders, including former Prime Minister Eleftherios Venizelos, were in exile, and the press faced strict censorship. International observers, including representatives from the League of Nations, noted the absence of a free campaign environment, as advocacy for a republic was effectively prohibited.

Results and controversy

Official results announced a staggering 97.9% vote in favor of restoration, with 1,491,992 votes for and only 32,454 against, representing a 98% approval rate in many prefectures. The implausible margin immediately sparked allegations of widespread fraud, intimidation, and ballot stuffing from the suppressed republican opposition and foreign diplomats. Critics pointed to the controlled environment, the disenfranchisement of known Venizelists, and the lack of secret voting safeguards. The result was condemned by exiled politicians like Nikolaos Plastiras and Panagis Tsaldaris, who denounced it as a sham orchestrated by Georgios Kondylis and the royalist military elite. Historians often compare its dubious legitimacy to other contemporary plebiscites in authoritarian states.

Aftermath

The confirmed result led to the formal abolition of the Second Hellenic Republic and the return of King George II from exile in London on 25 November 1935. His restoration, however, did not bring stability, as he quickly clashed with the powerful Georgios Kondylis and the military. Within months, the king endorsed a further coup, establishing the 4th of August Regime under General Ioannis Metaxas in 1936, which suspended parliament and created a dictatorship. This period of royal authority was short-lived, as the monarchy was again overthrown following the Axis occupation of Greece and the subsequent Greek Civil War, leading to a final referendum in 1946.

Category:1935 in Greece Category:1935 referendums Category:Monarchy of Greece Category:Political history of Greece