2004 Greek legislative election

2004 Greek legislative election
Argybz · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Country	Greece
Type	parliamentary
Previous election	2000 Greek legislative election
Previous year	2000
Next election	2007 Greek legislative election
Next year	2007
Seats for election	All 300 seats in the Hellenic Parliament
Majority seats	151
Election date	7 March 2004
Turnout	76.6%
Leader1	Kostas Karamanlis
Party1	New Democracy
Leaders seat1	Thessaloniki A
Last election1	125 seats, 42.7%
Seats1	165
Seat change1	+40
Popular vote1	3,359,058
Percentage1	45.4%
Swing1	+2.7%
Leader2	George Papandreou
Party2	PASOK
Leaders seat2	Athens A
Last election2	158 seats, 43.8%
Seats2	117
Seat change2	–41
Popular vote2	3,003,275
Percentage2	40.6%
Swing2	–3.2%
Title	Prime Minister
Before election	Kostas Simitis
Before party	PASOK
After election	Kostas Karamanlis
After party	New Democracy

2004 Greek legislative election was held on 7 March 2004 to elect all 300 members of the Hellenic Parliament. The election resulted in a decisive victory for the center-right New Democracy party, ending over a decade of governance by the Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK). This political shift brought Kostas Karamanlis to the office of Prime Minister of Greece, marking a significant change in the nation's political landscape after the 2004 Summer Olympics preparations and preceding economic challenges.

Background

The political climate was shaped by the long tenure of PASOK, which had governed since 1993 under Andreas Papandreou and later Kostas Simitis. Public sentiment had grown weary of the party, particularly regarding economic stagnation and high-profile scandals like the Koskotas scandal and the aftermath of the 1999 Athens earthquake. The impending 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens placed immense pressure on the government, with concerns over delays and cost overruns dominating public discourse. Furthermore, Greece's entry into the Eurozone in 2001 and the need for continued reforms under the Stability and Growth Pact created a contentious economic backdrop. The decision by Kostas Simitis to step down and hand leadership to George Papandreou in early 2004 was a pivotal moment, aiming to renew the party's appeal ahead of the crucial vote.

Parties and leaders

The main contenders were New Democracy, led by Kostas Karamanlis, nephew of former Prime Minister Constantine Karamanlis, and PASOK, now under the leadership of George Papandreou, son of Andreas Papandreou. Other significant parties included the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), steadfastly led by Aleka Papariga, and the Coalition of the Radical Left (SYRIZA), a rising force that included groups like Synaspismos. The right-wing Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS), led by Georgios Karatzaferis, also contested, alongside the traditional center-left Democratic Social Movement (DIKKI) of Dimitris Tsovolas. The ecological party Ecologist Greens and various minor parties rounded out the electoral field, reflecting a fragmented political spectrum.

Campaign

The campaign was intensely focused on the themes of change and modernization. New Democracy criticized PASOK for alleged corruption, bureaucratic inefficiency, and poor management of the 2004 Summer Olympics preparations, promising a more transparent and business-friendly government under the slogan "Greece Can Do More." George Papandreou campaigned on a platform of social justice and modernization of PASOK, but struggled to distance himself from the party's past. Key issues debated included economic reform, relations with Turkey and the European Union, and social policies. The final rallies in Syntagma Square and Thessaloniki drew large crowds, with extensive media coverage on networks like Mega Channel and ANT1.

Results

The election yielded a clear parliamentary majority for New Democracy, which secured 165 seats with 45.4% of the popular vote. PASOK suffered a significant defeat, winning 117 seats and 40.6%, its worst result since 1977. The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) held steady with 12 seats, while the Coalition of the Radical Left (SYRIZA) gained 6 seats. The Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) entered the Hellenic Parliament for the first time with 4.1% of the vote. Voter turnout was 76.6%, with notable shifts in traditional strongholds like Attica and Central Macedonia. The results were officially confirmed by the Supreme Special Court.

Aftermath

Following the official announcement, Kostas Karamanlis was sworn in as Prime Minister of Greece by President Konstantinos Stephanopoulos and formed a new government. His administration immediately faced the immense challenge of ensuring the successful completion of the 2004 Summer Olympics, which opened in Athens that August. The new government also embarked on a program of economic liberalization, including privatizations of state assets like the Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE) and reforms in the National Health Service. This victory ended the political dynasty of the Papandreou family for the time being and reshaped the Greek party system, setting the stage for future confrontations with SYRIZA and altering Greece's trajectory within the European Union.

Category:2004 elections in Greece Category:Legislative elections in Greece