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| Movement for Change (Greece) | |
|---|---|
| Name | Movement for Change |
| Native name | Κίνημα Αλλαγής |
| Leader | Fofi Gennimata |
| Founded | 2018 |
| Predecessor | Panhellenic Socialist Movement |
| Ideology | Social democracy |
| Position | Centre-left |
| Headquarters | Athens |
| Country | Greece |
Movement for Change (Greece) is a centre-left political coalition formed to unify Greek social democracy and centre-left politics forces under a single electoral and organizational banner. Launched amid fragmentation following the Greek government-debt crisis, it sought to consolidate support from voters disaffected with New Democracy (Greece), Syriza, and smaller progressive formations. The coalition brought together established parties, trade unionists, civic organizations, and former ministers to present a coordinated alternative in national and European contests.
The coalition emerged after negotiations among leaders of the Panhellenic Socialist Movement, To Potami (The River), the Union of Centrists, and other centre-left groupings in the aftermath of the 2015–2018 political realignments tied to the Greek bailout and the implementation of memorandum austerity policies. Key founding moments included a 2017 conference that followed talks with figures from the Hellenic Parliament, former ministers linked to PASOK administrations, and civic actors associated with the Labour movement and the General Confederation of Greek Workers. During its early phase, the coalition sought to absorb politicians who had previously served in cabinets under Konstantinos Simitis, George Papandreou, and Costas Simitis's successors, while courting intellectuals from institutions like the Athens University of Economics and Business and commentators from outlets such as Kathimerini and Ta Nea.
The coalition's platform combined elements from European social democracy, social liberalism, and progressive centrism drawn from the traditions of PASOK and akin parties within the Party of European Socialists. Policy pronouncements emphasized restoring welfare provisions rolled back during the Greek government-debt crisis, revising elements of the Memorandum of Understanding (Greece), and promoting growth through partnerships with entities like the European Investment Bank and initiatives tied to the European Commission. On foreign affairs the coalition positioned itself pro-NATO, supportive of EU integration via the Lisbon Treaty framework, and engaged with debates over the Macedonia naming dispute and relations with Turkey. Economic measures outlined drew on proposals from academics associated with the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, while social policies referenced frameworks promoted by the International Labour Organization and Council of Europe.
Leadership initially coalesced around prominent figures from PASOK and allied parties, including elected MPs with prior service in cabinets under Andreas Papandreou and Kostas Karamanlis-era oppositions. Organizational structures mirrored party models used by European counterparts such as the Social Democratic Party of Germany and Italian Democratic Party, establishing local branches in prefectures like Attica, Thessaloniki, and the islands of the Aegean Sea. The coalition developed policy committees drawing academics from the Athens Law School, trade union representatives from the PAME and GSEE, and civic leaders from NGOs akin to Praksis. Leadership rotations and internal primaries reflected practices seen in the British Labour Party and French Socialist Party.
Electoral results saw the coalition contesting parliamentary elections, European Parliament elections, and regional ballots, competing against New Democracy (Greece), Syriza, and emergent parties such as Golden Dawn. In European Parliament contests the coalition sought seats alongside delegations from the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, while national vote shares fluctuated amid competition from centrist options like The River (To Potami) and conservative realignments linked to leaders such as Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Performance in municipal elections involved alliances with local figures including former mayors of Athens and Thessaloniki, and results informed subsequent negotiations on coalition-building and cabinet candidacies.
The coalition engaged in parliamentary cooperation, forming voting blocs on initiatives related to fiscal adjustment, social protection, and European integration, often negotiating with parties such as Movement of Democratic Socialists and independent groups from the Hellenic Parliament. It participated in protests and demonstrations alongside unions including GSEE and organizations campaigning over issues like refugee reception in the Moria hotspot and austerity measures tied to the Troika. Internationally, the coalition cultivated links with the Party of European Socialists, met delegations from the Socialist International, and hosted visits by figures from the Social Democratic Party of Austria and Spanish Socialist Workers' Party.
Public reception combined support from traditional centre-left constituencies—trade unions, public-service professionals, and urban voters in Athens and Thessaloniki—with criticism from both the left and right. Critics from the left accused the coalition of insufficient rupture from austerity-era compromises associated with PASOK administrations, while conservative commentators and parties alleged opportunism and fragmentation. Media scrutiny in outlets like Eleftherotypia, Proto Thema, and SKAI highlighted internal disputes over leadership, strategy, and candidate selection. Analysts from think tanks such as the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy and academics at the University of Crete debated its prospects amid shifting alignments in the post-crisis Greek political landscape.
Category:Political parties in Greece Category:Social democratic parties