1985 Greek legislative election

1985 Greek legislative election
Country	Greece
Type	parliamentary
Previous election	1981 Greek legislative election
Previous year	1981
Next election	June 1989 Greek legislative election
Next year	June 1989
Seats for election	All 300 seats in the Hellenic Parliament
Majority seats	151
Election date	2 June 1985
Turnout	80.9% (2.1 pp)
Party1	Panhellenic Socialist Movement
Leader1	Andreas Papandreou
Seats1	161
Popular vote1	2,916,735
Percentage1	45.82%
Party2	New Democracy (Greece)
Leader2	Constantine Mitsotakis
Seats2	126
Popular vote2	2,599,681
Percentage2	40.85%
Party3	Communist Party of Greece
Leader3	Charilaos Florakis
Seats3	13
Popular vote3	629,525
Percentage3	9.89%
Posttitle	Prime Minister after election
Before election	Andreas Papandreou
Before party	Panhellenic Socialist Movement
After election	Andreas Papandreou
After party	Panhellenic Socialist Movement

1985 Greek legislative election was held on 2 June 1985 to elect all 300 members of the Hellenic Parliament. The election was a pivotal contest between the incumbent Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) under Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou and the main opposition New Democracy (ND), now led by Constantine Mitsotakis. PASOK secured a second consecutive term in government, maintaining a strong parliamentary majority, while the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) retained its position as the third political force. The result confirmed the consolidation of a new political era in Greece following the fall of the military junta.

Background

The political landscape was dominated by the first full term of the PASOK government, which had come to power in the 1981 Greek legislative election on a platform of radical change, known as "Allaghi". Key policies included the National Health System, expansions in social security, and a confrontational foreign policy stance towards the United States and NATO, including debates over U.S. bases. However, by 1985, the government faced economic challenges, including high inflation and a growing public debt, leading to the implementation of a controversial stabilization programme in cooperation with the European Economic Community. Simultaneously, New Democracy underwent internal turmoil, with Constantine Mitsotakis succeeding Evangelos Averoff after a contentious leadership contest, aiming to unify the party against PASOK's populist appeal.

Parties and leaders

The incumbent party was the Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK), led by the charismatic Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou. The primary opposition was New Democracy (ND), now under the leadership of Constantine Mitsotakis, a prominent figure from the Centre Union era. The third significant force was the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), led by Charilaos Florakis, which maintained a loyal electoral base. Other parties contesting included the Communist Party of Greece (Interior) led by Leonidas Kyrkos, and the Christian Democracy party. The political spectrum also featured minor groups like the Progressive Party and the Union of the Democratic Centre.

Electoral system

The election was conducted under a reinforced proportional representation system, as outlined in the Greek Constitution of 1975. The country was divided into 56 multi-member constituencies, corresponding to the prefectures, with seat allocation using a Hare quota method. A national threshold was not formally applied, but the system included a majority bonus, awarding a significant number of extra seats to the party winning a plurality of the vote, ensuring stable parliamentary majorities. This system had previously benefited PASOK in 1981 and was a point of contention for opposition parties like New Democracy and the Communist Party of Greece.

Campaign

The PASOK campaign, centered on the slogan "PASOK – There is a future", emphasized the social reforms of the first term and portrayed Andreas Papandreou as a defender of national sovereignty against foreign pressures. New Democracy, under Constantine Mitsotakis, focused on economic management, criticizing the government's fiscal policies and promising liberal reforms and closer ties with the European Economic Community and NATO. The Communist Party of Greece campaigned on traditional leftist policies, opposing both the European Economic Community and NATO. Key campaign issues included the state of the Greek economy, the future of U.S. bases at Hellenikon Air Base and Nea Makri, and PASOK's constitutional reform agenda, which included proposals to reduce the powers of the President of Greece, then held by Constantine Karamanlis.

Results

PASOK won a decisive victory, securing 45.82% of the popular vote and 161 seats in the Hellenic Parliament, preserving its absolute majority. New Democracy received 40.85% of the vote and 126 seats, failing to make sufficient inroads despite its leadership change. The Communist Party of Greece obtained 9.89% and 13 seats, maintaining its representation. Smaller parties, including the Communist Party of Greece (Interior) and the Union of the Democratic Centre, failed to win any seats. Voter turnout was 80.9%, a slight decrease from 1981. The results solidified the electoral dominance of PASOK in major regions like Athens, Thessaloniki, and Crete, while New Democracy held strong in parts of Central Greece and the Peloponnese.

Aftermath

Following the victory, Andreas Papandreou was swiftly reaffirmed as Prime Minister of Greece and formed his second cabinet. His government proceeded with major constitutional revisions, notably amending the Greek Constitution of 1975 to curtail the powers of the President of Greece, a move opposed by New Democracy and President Constantine Karamanlis. Economically, the government continued its stabilization policies, which led to tensions with trade unions like the General Confederation of Greek Workers. The election result entrenched the two-party system dominated by PASOK and ND, marginalizing smaller parties. This political setting defined Greek politics until the political crisis that led to the June 1989 Greek legislative election, which resulted in a hung parliament and prolonged instability.

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