Independent Greeks

Independent Greeks. The Independent Greeks was a right-wing to far-right political party in Greece, founded in 2012 by former New Democracy member Panos Kammenos. It rose to prominence as a vocal Eurosceptic and economically nationalist force during the Greek government-debt crisis, entering a coalition government with the Coalition of the Radical Left in 2015. The party dissolved in 2019 after failing to win parliamentary representation in that year's legislative election.

History

The party was founded on 24 February 2012 by Panos Kammenos, a former deputy of the center-right New Democracy, following his expulsion for opposing the Papademos coalition government and its adherence to memorandum austerity policies. It first contested the May 2012 legislative elections, entering the Hellenic Parliament with a significant bloc of seats. Its political breakthrough came in January 2015 when, following the snap election, it formed an unexpected coalition government with the victorious Coalition of the Radical Left under Alexis Tsipras, with Kammenos appointed Minister of National Defence. This alliance governed through tumultuous events including the July 2015 referendum and the subsequent signing of a third bailout agreement. The coalition persisted after the September 2015 election but ultimately collapsed in January 2019 over the Prespa Agreement regarding North Macedonia, leading Kammenos to withdraw his ministers. The party was officially dissolved after failing to surpass the 3% threshold in the July 2019 national election.

Ideology and political positions

Ideologically, the party was positioned on the right-wing to far-right spectrum, combining national conservative and right-wing populist elements. Its core platform was defined by staunch Euroscepticism, vehement opposition to the austerity measures imposed by the European Commission, the European Central Bank, and the International Monetary Fund (collectively the Troika), and a strong emphasis on economic nationalism and national sovereignty. The party advocated for renegotiation of Greece's debt agreements, promoted Orthodox Christian values, and took a hardline stance on national issues, opposing the Prespa agreement and maintaining a confrontational posture towards Turkey regarding the Aegean dispute and Cyprus dispute. It was a member of the European Conservatives and Reformists group in the European Parliament.

Electoral performance

The party first gained parliamentary representation in the May 2012 election, winning 10.6% of the vote and 33 seats in the Hellenic Parliament. Its support declined in the subsequent June 2012 election to 7.5% and 20 seats. As a junior coalition partner to Syriza, it secured 4.8% and 13 seats in the January 2015 election and 3.7% and 10 seats in the September 2015 election. In the 2019 European Parliament election, its vote share fell to 1.2%, failing to win a seat. The party's final national contest was the July 2019 legislative election, where it received only 0.8% of the vote, falling far below the 3% electoral threshold and resulting in its exit from the Hellenic Parliament.

Leadership and organization

The party was dominated by its founder and longtime president, Panos Kammenos, who served as its sole leader and primary public figure throughout its existence. Key members included Nikos Nikolopoulos, Maria Kollia-Tsaroucha, and Kostas Zouraris, who held significant parliamentary or ministerial roles. The party's organizational structure was relatively centralized, with Kammenos maintaining firm control over strategy and policy direction. Its support base was concentrated among disaffected conservative voters, particularly in rural areas and regions of Central Greece, the Peloponnese, and Crete, drawing on nationalist and anti-austerity sentiment.

Controversies and criticism

The party and its leader were frequently embroiled in controversy. Its decision to form a coalition with the radical left Syriza was criticized by many as an ideological contradiction. Panos Kammenos was often criticized for inflammatory rhetoric, including contentious statements about Turkey, Germany, and political opponents. The party faced allegations of populist opportunism and was accused by critics of facilitating the implementation of austerity measures it originally opposed by sustaining the Syriza-led government after the 2015 bailout capitulation. Its collapse over the Prespa agreement was viewed by some as a last-ditch effort to reclaim a nationalist profile after a perceived erosion of its core principles while in government. Category:Political parties in Greece Category:National conservative parties in Europe Category:Eurosceptic parties in Greece