PASOK
Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox political party
The Panhellenic Socialist Movement (Template:Langx, Template:IPA), known mostly by its acronym PASOK (Template:IPAc-en; Template:Lang, Template:IPA), is a social-democratic<ref name=Nordsieck>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Dimitrakopoulos2011">Template:Citation</ref><ref name="Almeida2012">Template:Cite book</ref> political party in Greece. Until 2012 it was one of the two major parties in the country, along with New Democracy, its main political rival. After a decade of poor electoral outcomes, PASOK has retained its position as one of the main Greek political parties and is currently the second largest party in the Greek Parliament.
Following the collapse of the Greek military dictatorship of 1967–1974, PASOK was founded on 3 September 1974 as a socialist party.
Formerly the largest left-of-center party in Greece between 1977 and 2012, PASOK lost much of its popular support as a result of the Greek debt crisis. PASOK was the ruling party when the economic crisis began, and it negotiated the first Greek bailout package with the European troika, which necessitated harsh austerity measures.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> This caused a significant loss in the party's popularity.<ref name="Barometro Okt 2011">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Public Issue">Template:Cite web</ref> It was part of two coalition governments from 2011 to 2015, during which further austerity measures were taken in response to the crisis. Due to these measures and the crisis, PASOK went from being the largest party in the Hellenic Parliament with 160 seats (43.92% of the popular vote) in the 2009 election to being the smallest party with 13 seats (4.68% of the popular vote) in the January 2015 election. This decline became known as Pasokification.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
To halt the party's decline, Fofi Gennimata was elected as the new president of the party and formed a political alliance known as the Democratic Alignment (DISY). In the September 2015 election, DISY was the fourth most voted-for party. In 2018, PASOK merged into a new political alliance of centre-left parties, again led by Gennimata, called the Movement for Change (KINAL), becoming the third largest party in the parliament in the 2019 election. After the death of Gennimata and the election of the new Party President Nikos Androulakis, PASOK (running under the new PASOK-KINAL umbrella) improved its electoral outcome, achieving a 11.84% share of the popular vote in the June 2023 election. In October 2024, Androulakis was re-elected as president of PASOK.
History
Template:More footnotes needed
Foundation
The first members of the party were the main organizers of the collapse of the Greek junta and the re-establishment of democracy on 3 September 1974. Its founder was Andreas Papandreou, son of the late Greek liberal leader and three-time Prime Minister of Greece Georgios Papandreou Sr, and its co-founder trade unionist Georgios Daskalakis. Its founding mottos were "National Independence, Popular Sovereignty, Social Emancipation, Democratic Process." Andreas Papandreou was offered the leadership of the liberal political forces - what evolved into Centre Union – New Forces - immediately after the restoration of democracy, but in a risky move he declined, so the leadership was assumed by Georgios Mavros. Papandreou, a powerful orator and charismatic leader, explicitly rejected the Venizelist ideological heritage of his father, and stressed the fact that he was a socialist, not a liberal.
Early years
At the November 1974 elections the Party received only 13.5% of the vote and won 15 seats (out of 300), coming third behind the centre-right New Democracy of Konstantinos Karamanlis and the Centre Union – New Forces (EK-ND) of Giorgos Mavros. In the November 1977 elections, however, PASOK eclipsed the EK-ND, winning 93 seats by doubling its share of the vote and becoming the main opposition party in Greece at the time.
In government
In the October 1981 national elections PASOK won a landslide victory with 48.1% of the vote, capturing 172 seats; it forming the first socialist government in Greece since 1924. Although Papandreou had campaigned for withdrawal of Greece from NATO and the European Economic Community, after a strong request by the rest of the party members and its supporters,Template:Citation needed changed his policies towards both organizations. He proved to be an excellent negotiator when it came to securing benefits and subsidies for Greece from the EEC. For example, in 1985 he openly threatened Jacques Delors to veto the entry of Spain and Portugal in to the ECC to secure more monetary aid for Greece.<ref>Richard Clogg, Parties and Elections in Greece, 1987</ref> In the June 1985 elections, PASOK received 46% of the vote, winning 161 seats, thus securing a stable parliamentary majority for its second term in power.
It continued to be popular for much of its second term, especially in March 1987 when Andreas Papandreou successfully handled a crisis in the Aegean with Turkey. By late 1988 however, both the government's popularity and Papandreou's health had declined. The former, because of the press’ reports of financial and corruption scandals that, implicated Ministers and, allegedly, Andreas Papandreou himself as well as because of fiscal austerity measures imposed after the Keynesian policies of the first term. Under Papandreou, total government expenditure rose in 1982 by 6.8%, by 1.4% in 1983, by 5.5% in 1984, and by 11.0% in 1985. As a result of austerity measures introduced in October 1985,<ref>The World: Greek Wage Freeze to End L.A. Times Archives Sept. 6, 1987 12 AM PT</ref> however, total government expenditure fell by 4.6% in 1986, and by 1.9% in 1987.<ref>THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE GREEK ECONOMY, 1951-1991 An Historical, Empirical, and Econometric Analysis by George A. Jouganatos, Greenwood Press, 1992, P.156</ref> The middle of 1987, however, saw Costas Simitis (the minister who presided over the austerity program) being dismissed and the austerity policies abandoned,<ref>Greece, a country study / Federal Research Division, Library of Congress; edited by Glenn E. Curtis, 1995, P.220-221</ref> with expansionary economic policies pursued once again.<ref>Foreign Economic Trends and Their Implications for the United States, PREPARED BY AMERICAN EMBASSY ATHENS, MAY 1990, P.5</ref>
Despite this u-turn, PASOK lost the June 1989 elections with 40% of the vote while the opposing New Democracy received 44.3%. PASOK had changed the electoral law before the elections, making it harder for the leading party to form a majority government, so the legislature was deadlocked.
Another election in November produced a very similar result. After a brief period of a grand coalition government, in which PASOK participated, a third election in April 1990 brought New Democracy back to power. Despite a 7% lead in popular vote over PASOK, New Democracy could only secure a marginal majority in the Hellenic Parliament, electing 152 MPs out of a total of 300; PASOK had secured a larger number of representatives on a lower percentage of votes, as well as having a small overall lead, in the elections of 1985, under the previous electoral system. Its representation in the Parliament shrunk to 121 MPs in 1990.
In opposition, PASOK underwent a leadership crisis when Andreas Papandreou was prosecuted over his supposed involvement in the Koskotas scandal. He was eventually acquitted and, in a dramatic twist of fate, in the October 1993 elections led the party to another landslide victory. Papandreou returned to office with 47% of the vote and his re-election was considered by many a vote of confidence of the public against his prosecution. In November 1995, however, Papandreou's health began to deteriorate and the party was racked with leadership conflicts.
During his time in office, Papandreou presided over a wide range of social reforms. His governments carried through sweeping reforms of social policy by introducing a welfare state,<ref>Kefala, Eleni (2007) Peripheral (post) modernity: the syncretist aesthetics of Borges, Piglia, Kalokyris and Kyriakidis. Peter Lang. Template:ISBN</ref> significantly expanding welfare measures,<ref name=looking>Sassoon, Donald (1997) Looking left: European socialism after the Cold War. I.B. Taurus. Template:ISBN</ref> expanding health care coverage (the "National Health System" was instituted, which made modern medical procedures available in rural areas for the first time,<ref name="workmall.com">Template:Cite web</ref>) promoting state-subsidized tourism (social tourism) for lower-income families, and index-linking pensions.<ref>Gunther, Richard; Diamandouros, Nikiforos P. and Sōtēropoulos, Dēmētrēs A. (2007) Democracy and the state in the new Southern Europe. Oxford University Press. Template:ISBN</ref>
A number of other reforms were carried out in areas such as trade union rights,<ref>Foreign Labor Trends 1986</ref> shop closing and reopening times,<ref>Foreign Labor Trends Report Greece 1988</ref> social security,<ref>Ideologues, Partisans, and Loyalists Ministers and Policymaking in Parliamentary Cabinets By Despina Alexiadou, 2016</ref><ref>Report on social developments: year 1985. V/941/85, April 1986</ref> education,<ref>Report on social developments: year 1982. (Published in conjunction with the Sixteenth General Report on the Activities of the European Communities 1982 in accordance with Article 122 of the EEC Treaty) </ref><ref>Report on social developments year 1984. March 1985</ref><ref>Report on social developments: year 1986. V/1255/86, April 1987</ref><ref>Report on social developments: year 1987</ref> health and safety,<ref>Report on social developments year 1983. March 1984</ref> and work councils.<ref>Report on social developments: year 1988. SEC (89) 1929 final, 15 December 1989</ref> A more progressive taxation scheme was introduced and budgetary support for artistic and cultural programmes was increased.<ref name="ReferenceA">Boggs, Carl (2005) The socialist tradition: from crisis to decline. Psychology Press. Template:ISBN</ref> Social aid became available to deaf and dumb adults as well as for persons with mental disabilities, minimum pensions were indexed to the minimum wage, a social assistance pension for those aged 68 and over was introduced, and (as noted by one study) "All uninsured employed and self-employed individuals are covered by IKA (social insurance fund)." Social security benefits were also adjusted to price increases, while social assistance disability benefits were extended to new categories. Special family allowances were established for certain groups. Wages and pensions became automatically adjusted in line with the consumer price index every 4 months on the basis of economic forecasts. In addition, all women with unmarried children under 21 could retire at 55, early retirement was extended to more occupations, and low-income households received housing allowances.<ref>Ideologues, Partisans and Loyalists Ministers and Policymaking in Parliamentary Cabinets by Despina Alexiadou, P.232</ref> New rights to parental leave were also enshrined in law, while a 1985 law provided for a postpartum allowance for OGA-insured workers. In addition, tax relief was introduced for certain groups of mothers, such as working unwed mothers.<ref>Making Modern Mothers Ethics and Family Planning in Urban Greece By Heather Paxson, 2004, P.257-259</ref> The role of OAED in vocational guidance and training was strengthened, while subsidies for returning Greek migrants were introduced. Saturday working was also abolished for certain categories of workers.<ref>Ideologues, Partisans and Loyalists Ministers and Policymaking in Parliamentary Cabinets by Despina Alexiadou, P.234</ref> Various improvements in the coverage and adequacy of various kinds of pensions were also carried out, and a law was passed that established a scheme providing farmers with supplementary coverage.<ref>Handbook of West European Pension Politics, Editors: Ellen M. Immergut, Researcher Isabelle Schulze, Karen M. Anderson, 2007, P.122-125</ref> During PASOK’s first 4 years in office, expenditure on pensions and social welfare increased by almost 50.%<ref>Greece Biography of a Modern Nation By Roderick Beaton, 2021, P.348</ref>
Various reforms were carried out in education, such as the abolition of entry examinations for upper secondary education, a 3-year long post-secondary tier of vocational training,<ref>The Oxford Handbook of MODERN GREEK POLITICS, Edited by Kevin Featherstone and Dimitri A. Sotiropoulos, 2020, P.541</ref> the introduction of teacher training colleges,<ref>From the Ballot to the Blackboard The Redistributive Political Economy of Education By Ben W. Ansell, 2010, P.117</ref> the building of new universities,<ref>Ikaria - Paradise in Peril By John Chrysochoos, Ph.D., P.148</ref> the introduction of the notion of ‘special needs,’<ref>Inclusive Education Policy, Contexts and Comparative Perspectives By Felicity Armstrong, Derrick Armstrong, Len Barton, 2016, P.33</ref> the modernization of university curricula, and the introduction of new procedures for selecting and promoting faculty which involved greater participation by students. Higher education was also made available on equal terms to all Greek citizens. New rights for women were also introduced, amongst which included the abolition of the dowry system, the legalization of civil marriage, the decriminalization of adultery for women, and the granting to female farmers their own pension together with the ability to receive (in their own name) loans from the Agricultural Bank. In addition, a New Family Code was established, which declared that wives and husbands were equal partners in their marriages.<ref>THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE GREEK ECONOMY, 1951-1991 An Historical, Empirical, and Econometric Analysis by George A. Jouganatos, Greenwood Press, 1992, P.130</ref> A law was also passed enabling women to acquire experience in cooperatives.<ref>Stewards of the Land The American Farm School and Greece in the Twentieth CenturyBy Brenda L. Marder, 2004, P.374</ref> In addition, agricultural policies of subsidization, cooperatives and price supports were also carried out that improved the overall positions of farmers.<ref>THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE GREEK ECONOMY, 1951-1991 An Historical, Empirical, and Econometric Analysis by George A. Jouganatos, Greenwood Press, 1992, P.163</ref>
A law of 1984 extended the protection accorded (as noted by one study) “to victims of acts of racial discrimination to include the area of religion,”<ref>YEARBOOK ON HUMAN RIGHTS FOR 1984, UNITED NATIONS New York, 1989, P.39-40</ref> while under another law passed that same year the automatic loss of nationality for married women was brought to an end.<ref>and Loss of Nationality: Comparative analyses Editor: Rainer Bauböck, 2006, P.341</ref> In 1986, the PASOK government amended the Greek constitution to remove most powers from the President and giving wider authority to the Prime Minister and the Executive Government. However, the dubious methods by Papandreou triggered a constitutional crisis that ended after the elections of 1985.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Civil marriages, not consecrated by religious ceremony, were recognized as equally valid with religious weddings. The left-wing Resistance movement against the Axis in World War II was finally formally recognized, and former leftist resistance fighters were given state pensions, while leftist political refugees of the Greek Civil War were finally given permission to return to Greece. Various repressive laws of the anti-communist postwar establishment were abolished, wages were boosted, an independent and multidimensional foreign policy was pursued, and the Greek Gendarmerie military police force abolished in 1984.<ref>Richard Clogg, a Concise History of Greece, 2002</ref>
Further social measures were carried out during Papandreou’s last premiership. In 1993, tax incentives for families were extended.<ref>Making Modern MothersEthics and Family Planning in Urban Greece By Heather Paxson, 2004, P.194</ref> Under Law 2362/95, the tax exemption where a property is transferred to children or inherited by them was increased,<ref>European Observatory on National Family Policies Developments in National Family Policies in 1995edited by John Ditch, Helen Barnes and Jonathan Bradshaw, P.39-40</ref> while a 1994 law provided consumer associations with the right (as noted by one study) “to bring class actions against producers accused of use of unfair terms or provision of inadequate services to consumers.”<ref>Insurance Law in Greece By Ioannis K. Rokas, Kosmas K. Karanikolas, 2022</ref> Increases in minimum pensions and family benefits were also carried out,<ref>Ideologues, Partisans and Loyalists Ministers and Policymaking in Parliamentary Cabinets by Despina Alexiadou, P.233</ref> together with measures to improve the implementation of ALMPs.<ref>Ideologues, Partisans and Loyalists Ministers and Policymaking in Parliamentary Cabinets by Despina Alexiadou, P.235</ref> In 1994, a provision under which employers could automatically dismiss workers involved in illegal strikes was eliminated. That same year, a new fund to combat unemployment was set up.<ref>INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND GREECE Background Paper Prepared by Dimitri G. Demekas, Charalambos Christofides, A. Javier Hamann, and Sayuri Shirai (all EUI), Approved by the European I Department, July 20, 1995, P.8</ref>
Law no. 2224 introduced a number of changes concerning social security and worker’s rights. Modifications were introduced by decree to the legislation on trade unions and on employee health and safety which was said to enable Greek society (as noted by one study) “to form a clear and complete picture of the prevailing legislation, improving relations between workers and employers and facilitating supervision of the legislation in question by the responsible public authorities.” The law regulated problems in the field of the building of workers' housing (such as debt repayment) and also included a procedure by which (as noted by one study) “shop opening hours can be regulated and includes provisions for electoral proceedings for: the union representation of mariners and a special pay system for waiters and waitresses.” The law also ratified collective labour agreements providing for an extension of the overall duration of maternity leave to 18 weeks.<ref>EMPLOYMENT OBSERVATORY Policies Development in employment policies in Europe. Series produced by the MISEP network. 47 Autumn 1994, P.27-28</ref>
Law no. 2224 also provided for (as noted by one study) “equal treatment between Greek nationals and nationals of other Contracting parties lawfully resident or regularly working in Greece in respect of access to vocational training organized by the OAED”<ref>European Social Charter Committee of Independent Experts : Conclusions XIV-2 · Volume 1 By Council of Europe. Committee of Independent Experts on the European Social Charter, 1998, P.349</ref> together with (as noted by another study) “equal treatment regarding all types of training allowances.” <ref>The European Social Charter by Carole Benelhocine, Council of Europe, 2012, P.131</ref> The same law also increased unemployment benefits (which hadn’t been changed since the end of 1989) by 30%,<ref>Report of Governor ... for the Year ... By Trapeza tēs Hellados, 1994, P.73</ref> and set (as a standard) the minimum level of unemployment benefits at 66.6%. Despite this, the unemployment benefit’s minimum, basic amount represented less than 50% of the minimum daily wage of an unskilled worker by the end of 2001.<ref>Social Policy Developments in Greece By Elias Mossialos, 2017, P.230</ref> The law also received criticism from unions due to the legislation also mandating skeleton staffs during strikes disrupting social needs; the criticism being that the law’s provisions on “social needs” were vague.<ref>FOREIGN LABOR TRENDS REPORT GREECE 1993-1994, P.9</ref>
According to one estimate, the percentage of the population living poverty fell steadily during PASOK's time in office from 1981 to 1989 and from 1993 to 1996.<ref>Social Policy Developments in Greece By Elias Mossialos, 2017, P.131</ref>
Modernization period
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In January 1996 Andreas Papandreou retired after a protracted three-month-long hospitalization, during which he retained the role of Prime Minister; he died six months later. He was succeeded by Costas Simitis, the candidate of the modernising, pro-European wing of PASOK (the so-called "modernizers", εκσυγχρονιστές eksynchronistes), who won an internal vote against Akis Tsochatzopoulos, a Papandreou confidant. In the first days following his election, Costas Simitis faced the biggest crisis in Greek politics for over 20 years,Template:Citation needed with the Imia crisis. He was criticized for his soft stance against Turkey and especially for praising in public the American intervention on the issue.
In a PASOK conference held in the summer of 1996, following Andreas Papandreou's death, Costas Simitis was elected leader of the party and called early elections seeking a renewed public vote of confidence. Although the Imia crisis had somewhat tarnished his image, the country's economic prosperity and his matter-of-fact administration won him the September 1996 general election with a 41.5% of the vote. Under Costas Simitis' leadership, PASOK had two major successes: In September 1997 Greece won the right to stage the 2004 Summer Olympic Games and in 2001 it was confirmed that the country would be included in the Eurozone, for which it had failed to meet the convergence criteria in 1998. Costas Simitis won another term in April 2000, narrowly winning with 43.8% of the vote and 158 seats: a substantial achievement for a Party which had been in power almost continuously for nearly 20 years.
In 2000, after the assassination of Brigadier Saunders by the terrorist group 17 November (17N), and especially with the forthcoming Athens Olympics being a major terrorist target, a significant international pressure was exerted on PASOK to recognise that Greece had a terrorist problem and do everything possible to bring the terrorist group to justice. Alessandra Stanley of The New York Times reported that former CIA Director James Woolsey believed there were people within PASOK who had ties to 17N and the Greek government was fearful of this being exposed.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Under the guidance of British and U.S. experts, the government intensified its efforts and finally, with a string of events starting at 29 June 2002, the 17N members were captured and put to trial.
Under the leadership of George Papandreou
Nevertheless, the party was losing its traditional appeal to the Greek lower and middle classes. To revitalize the party's chances for the next elections, Costas Simitis announced his resignation as the leader of the party on 7 January 2004. He was succeeded by George Papandreou, son of Andreas Papandreou. The party members were expecting that Papandreou could reverse the slide in the opinion polls which saw the opposition New Democracy (ND), under Kostas Karamanlis, 7% ahead at the start of the year.
Although Papandreou reduced ND's lead in the polls to 3%, he was unable to reverse the view of the majority of Greek voters that PASOK had been in power too long and had grown lazy, corrupt and had abandoned the inclusive and progressive principles of economic parity on which it was founded. ND had a comfortable win at the 2004 legislative elections held on 7 March 2004, placing the party in opposition after eleven years in office with 40.55% share of the vote and 117 seats.
On 16 September 2007, New Democracy headed by Costas Karamanlis won re-election with a marginal majority of 152 seats in the Parliament. Despite ND's falling performance in the 2007 legislative election, PASOK suffered a crushing defeat, registering 38.1% of the vote, its lowest percentage in almost 30 years, and 102 seats in the Hellenic Parliament.
The dismal result led to activation of the procedure to select a new leadership, or to reaffirm the current one. The main candidates for the leadership were the incumbent George Papandreou and the Party's informal second in command, Evangelos Venizelos. M.P. for Thessaloniki. M.P. Kostas Skandalidis also announced his candidacy in September. According to Party regulation, leaders are elected in a voting process open to all members. During the leadership election of 11 November 2007 George Papandreou was re-elected by the friends and members of the party as its leader.
In June 2009, the PASOK won the 2009 European Parliament election in Greece.<ref name="European election results 2009">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="EP Elections 2009">Template:Cite news Template:Dead link</ref> Four months later, the Party enjoyed a resounding victory in the October 2009 general elections with 43.92% of the popular vote to ND's 33.48%, and 160 parliament seats to 91.<ref name="Results 2009 Greek legislative elections">Template:Cite web</ref> Due to a number of defections and expulsions after 2009, by November 2011 PASOK held a slim majority of 152 of the parliament's 300 seats.<ref name="Parliamentary Groups">Template:Cite web</ref>
Decline (2009–2015)
A poll in October 2011 on behalf of the Greek TV channel Skai TV and the newspaper Kathimerini (after the austerity measures that were taken to tackle the financial crisis) revealed that of the people asked, 92% felt disappointed by the government while only 5% believed that a PASOK government would be best for the nation in the next elections.<ref name="Barometro Okt 2011"/> In the same survey, when asked about whether people have a positive or negative opinion of the various political parties in Greece, PASOK scored as the lowest, with 76% answering "negative".<ref name="Barometro Okt 2011"/>
Because of the financial crisis and the measures that were taken by the party from 2009 to 2012, PASOK, having been the largest party in the outgoing coalition government, achieved only third place with a mere 13.18%, retaining just 41 seats.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
After the elections of 6 May 2012, the President of Greece, Karolos Papoulias, mandated New Democracy leader Antonis Samaras to form a coalition government. On 7 May 2012, Samaras gave up the attempt and on the following day, President Papoulias mandated Alexis Tsipras, president of the Synaspismos political party and head of the Coalition of the Radical Left (SYRIZA) parliamentary group. After Tsipras was also unable to form a government, Evangelos Venizelos was mandated, but he too had no success. The legislative elections of June 2012 resulted in a further reduction in PASOK's popular support, probably as a result of the unpopular memorandum signed by former Prime Minister George Papandreou with the IMF, European Commission and European Central Bank. PASOK's share of the overall vote was its worst ever showing since the party was formed (12.28%). However PASOK decided to help the formation of a government by joining with New Democracy (ND) as well as the Democratic Left (DIMAR) of Fotis Kouvelis in a coalition under Prime Minister Samaras.
To contest the 2014 European election, PASOK founded the Olive Tree electoral alliance on 7 March 2014.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In the May 2014 European elections, the Olive Tree list came in fourth place nationally, receiving 8.02% of the vote, electing 2 MEPs.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On 29 December 2014, following the failure of the government to elect a presidential candidate, a snap January 2015 legislative election was called by Prime Minister Samaras, scheduled for 25 January 2015.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2015 legislative elections
On 2 January 2015, in the run-up to the legislative election, former Prime Minister and PASOK leader George Papandreou announced the formation of a breakaway party called Movement of Democratic Socialists (KIDISO),<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> a move immediately condemned by PASOK officials.<ref name=Reuters>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Five PASOK members of the Hellenic Parliament were expected to join the new party, including the former ministers Philippos Sachinidis and Dimitris Reppas.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In the 25 January 2015 legislative election, PASOK received 4.7% of the vote, with mandate for 13 seats in the Hellenic Parliament.Template:Citation needed
On 30 August 2015, ahead of the upcoming September snap election, PASOK announced an electoral alliance with DIMAR, dubbed the Democratic Alignment (DISY).<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In the September 2015 legislative election on 20 September 2015, the Democratic Alignment (DISY) received 6.3% of the vote, and 17 seats.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Under KINAL (2017–2021)
On 12 November 2017, an open primary was used as the first round of elections to select the leader of a new, as yet unfounded centre-left party in which PASOK would be folded. Nine initial leadership candidates include PASOK leader Fofi Gennimata, The River leader Stavros Theodorakis and incumbent Athens mayor Giorgos Kaminis.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Reaching the second-round election were Gennimata, with 44.5% of the vote, and PASOK MEP Nikos Androulakis with 25.4%.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The run-off election on 19 November was won by Gennimata with 56% of the vote.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On 28 November 2017, the name of the new party was announced as "Movement for Change" (Template:Langx), abbreviated to KINAL (ΚΙΝΑΛ).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
On 2 July 2018, The River left KINAL.<ref>"Αποχώρηση από το Ποτάμι μετά το διαζύγιο με το ΚΙΝΑΛ". Kathimerini.</ref> On 20 January 2019, DIMAR also left KINAL due to its position of supporting the Prespa agreement.<ref>"Συμφωνία των Πρεσπών". CNN Greece.</ref> On 1 June 2019 former PASOK leader Evangelos Venizelos left KINAL, accusing Gennimata of turning the Movement into "SYRIZA's tail".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
KINAL increased its obtained seats in the 2019 Greek legislative election compared to Democratic Alignment, becoming Greece's third-largest party or coalition and securing 22 seats in the Hellenic Parliament.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Following the election, KINAL positioned itself into opposition to the new Mitsotakis Government.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Gennimata died on 25 October 2021 at the Evangelismos Hospital in Athens from cancer.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Elections for the new leader took place in December 2021, with the main candidates being Andreas Loverdos, Nikos Androulakis, and George Papandreou. Nikos Androulakis was elected to the leadership of both KINAL and PASOK on 12 December 2021.<ref>Nikos Androulakis Elected New Leader of Greece's Center-Left</ref>
Return of PASOK
On 9 May 2022, the alliance was rebranded back to "PASOK – Movement for Change" (PASOK–KINAL) after an internal party referendum, becoming a political party in its own right and absorbing the original party incarnation.<ref name="keeptalkinggreece">Template:Cite web</ref> The old PASOK emblem (the green sun) was restored soon after that.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In the May 2023 election, PASOK–KINAL managed to increase both its vote percentage by 3.36% and its share of seats in the Hellenic Parliament from 22 to 41.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> This increase, in combination with the electoral decline of Syriza,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> has raised hopes among members that the party would regain its former status as the largest opposition party.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In the 2024 European Parliament election, even though the party managed to come first in Lasithi and Heraklion, PASOK eventually came in third place, recording a 12,79% vote share. The failure to capitalize on SYRIZA's further decline led a number of MPs and elected officials, including Haris Doukas and Pavlos Geroulanos to call for an election to replace Nikos Androulakis as party leader. The first round of the PASOK party election is planned to take place on 6 October 2024 while the second round is said to take place on 13.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>"Χάρης Δούκας: Ανακοίνωσε την υποψηφιότητά του για την ηγεσία του ΠΑΣΟΚ – «Ζητώ την στήριξή σας»" naftemporiki.gr(In Greek) 30 June 2024</ref>
In November 2024, the party became the official opposition following a series of defections from SYRIZA.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Popular culture
According to several communication experts, the frequently heard phrases "PASOK Era" and "PASOK Years" have been identified and penetrated into the collective subconscious with times of prosperity and abundance of goods<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and money, mainly from European subsidies but also the increase of the living standards, before the economic and debt crisis of 2009. This has led to the creation of several memes comparing what a situation with PASOK would be like and how it is now.
International and European links
PASOK is a member of the Socialist International,<ref name="Socialist International">Template:Cite web</ref> the Progressive Alliance<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and the Party of European Socialists.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> PASOK MEPs sit with the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) group in the European Parliament.
Pasokification refers to the decline and rightward political shift of centre-left parties across Europe.
Election results
Hellenic Parliament
European Parliament
| European Parliament | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Election | Votes | % | ±pp | Seats won | +/− | Rank | Leader | EP Group |
| 1981 | 2,278,030 | 40.12% | New | Template:Composition bar | New | 1st | Andreas Papandreou | SOC |
| 1984 | 2,476,491 | 41.58% | +1.46 | Template:Composition bar | Template:Steady 0 | 1st | ||
| 1989 | 2,352,271 | 35.96% | −5.62 | Template:Composition bar | Template:Decrease 1 | 2nd | ||
| 1994 | 2,458,619 | 37.64% | +1.68 | Template:Composition bar | Template:Increase 1 | 1st | PES | |
| 1999 | 2,115,844 | 32.91% | −4.73 | Template:Composition bar | Template:Decrease 1 | 2nd | Costas Simitis | |
| 2004 | 2,083,327 | 34.03% | +1.12 | Template:Composition bar | Template:Decrease 1 | 2nd | George Papandreou | |
| 2009 | 1,878,859 | 36.65% | +2.62 | Template:Composition bar | Template:Steady 0 | 1st | S&D | |
| 2014 | 458,403 (Elia) |
8.02% (Elia) |
−28.63 | Template:Composition bar | Template:Decrease 6 | 4th | Evangelos Venizelos | |
| 2019 | 436,726 (KINAL) |
7.72% (KINAL) |
−0.30 | Template:Composition bar | Template:Steady 0 | 3rd | Fofi Gennimata | |
| 2024 | 508,399 (PASOK–KINAL) |
12.79% (PASOK–KINAL) |
+5.07 | Template:Infobox political party/seats | Template:Increase 1 | 3rd | Nikos Androulakis | |
Party leaders
| # | Leader | Portrait | Term of office | election | Prime Minister | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| style="background:Template:Party color; color:white;" | | 1 | Andreas Papandreou | 
|
3 September 1974 | 23 June 1996† | — | 1981–1989 1993–1996 |
| style="background:Template:Party color; color:white;" | | 2 | Costas Simitis | 
|
30 June 1996 | 8 February 2004 | 1996 | 1996–2004 |
| style="background:Template:Party color; color:white;" | | 3 | George Papandreou | 
|
8 February 2004 | 18 March 2012 | 2004 2007 |
2009–2011 |
| style="background:Template:Party color; color:white;" | | 4 | Evangelos Venizelos | .jpg)
|
18 March 2012 | 14 June 2015 | 2012 | — |
| style="background:Template:Party color; color:white;" | | 5 | Fofi Gennimata | .jpg)
|
14 June 2015 | 25 October 2021† | 2015 | — |
| style="background:Template:Party color; color:white;" | | 6 | Nikos Androulakis | 
|
12 December 2021 | Incumbent | 2021 2024 |
— |
Gallery
-
1981–2012 -
2012–2017 -
2022–present
See also
- PASOKification
- History of Greece
- List of political parties in Greece
- Socialism in Greece
- Politics of Greece
- Party of European Socialists
- Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats
- Socialist International
- For our Crete
Notes
References
Sources
- Dimitris Michalopoulos, "PASOK and the Eastern Block", in Greece under Socialism, New Rochelle, New York: Orpheus Publishing Inc., 1988, pp. 339–337. Template:ISBN
External links
Template:Social democracy in Greece Template:Socialism in Greece Template:Greek political parties Template:Party of European Socialists Template:Socialist International
- PASOK
- Political parties established in 1974
- 1974 establishments in Greece
- Social democratic parties in Greece
- Full member parties of the Socialist International
- Progressive Alliance
- Party of European Socialists member parties
- Greek irredentism
- 1970s in Greek politics
- 1980s in Greek politics
- 1990s in Greek politics
- 2000s in Greek politics
- 2010s in Greek politics
- Pro-European political parties in Greece
- Andreas Papandreou