Greek Solution

Greek Solution is a right-wing to far-right political party in Greece, founded in 2016 by journalist and politician Kyriakos Velopoulos. The party advocates for national conservatism, Greek nationalism, and a strongly eurosceptic platform, often focusing on issues of national sovereignty and Orthodox Christian identity. It first entered the Hellenic Parliament following the July 2019 national election and has since maintained a presence in the Hellenic Parliament and the European Parliament.

History

The party was officially founded in 2016 by Kyriakos Velopoulos, a television presenter known for his programs on Mega Channel focusing on historical and nationalist themes. Its formation followed Velopoulos's earlier political involvement with the Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS). Greek Solution first contested national elections in the May 2019 election, narrowly failing to cross the 3% threshold. However, in the subsequent July 2019 snap election, it secured 3.7% of the vote, winning ten seats in the Hellenic Parliament. This success was attributed to the collapse of support for the former coalition partner Independent Greeks and the broader fragmentation of the right-wing space following the decline of Golden Dawn. In the 2019 European Parliament election, the party elected one MEP, Emmanouil Fragkos, who joined the European Conservatives and Reformists group.

Ideology and political positions

Greek Solution is characterized by its blend of national conservatism, right-wing populism, and hard euroscepticism. Its platform strongly emphasizes Greek nationalism, often invoking the legacy of Byzantine and ancient Greek civilization. The party is a vocal critic of the European Union and the Eurozone, advocating for the renegotiation of Greece's debt agreements and opposing the Prespa Agreement with North Macedonia. It takes a hardline stance on national issues, promoting strict immigration controls, reinforcing Orthodox Christian values, and asserting Greek sovereignty in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean disputes with Turkey. The party also supports traditional family structures and opposes LGBT rights legislation.

Electoral performance

The party achieved its parliamentary breakthrough in the July 2019 legislative election, entering the Hellenic Parliament with ten deputies. In the June 2023 election, it increased its share to 4.4%, securing twelve seats, and maintained this level in the repeat election later that year. Its performance in European elections has been stable, electing one MEP in 2019 and increasing to two MEPs, including Dimitris Natsios, in the 2024 European Parliament election. The party's electoral base is concentrated in Northern Greece, particularly in regions like Central Macedonia and Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, and among older, socially conservative voters.

Leadership and structure

The party is led by its founder and president, Kyriakos Velopoulos, who serves as its primary spokesperson and ideological figurehead. Key figures include Emmanouil Fragkos, its former parliamentary spokesman and a MEP, and Dimitris Natsios, a prominent MEP elected in 2024. The party's organizational structure is centralized around Velopoulos, with a core leadership team managing its parliamentary group and regional branches. It maintains affiliations with the European Conservatives and Reformists Party and its MEPs sit within the European Conservatives and Reformists group in the European Parliament.

Controversies and criticism

Greek Solution has faced significant criticism and controversy for its nationalist rhetoric and associations. Opponents, including the New Democracy party and left-wing parties like Syriza and the Communist Party of Greece, have accused it of promoting xenophobic and divisive policies. The party's stance on the North Macedonia naming dispute and its opposition to the Prespa Agreement have drawn international criticism from institutions like NATO and the European Union. Its leadership has also been scrutinized for historical revisionism and for statements perceived as downplaying the severity of the Greek military junta of 1967–1974. Furthermore, its hardline positions on immigration and religion have sparked debates about the rise of far-right politics in Greece.

Category:Political parties in Greece Category:National conservative parties in Europe Category:Eurosceptic parties in Greece Category:Right-wing populist parties in Europe