Conservative and far-right politicians saw significant wins in the Greek election this past weekend, victories that could mean the continuation of harsh immigration policies and a renewed focus on economic growth in the southern European country. The election, which keeps the center-right New Democracy party in power, suggests that Greek voters remain driven by fiscal stability, and that right-wing leaders may have a growing foothold in the European Union.
The conservative New Democracy Party won by a landslide, and has secured 158 of 300 Parliament seats, according to the latest projections. The outcome guarantees Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, a scion of a powerful Greek political family who campaigned on raising wages and reducing unemployment, a second term in the role. New Democracy ultimately trounced its largest competitor, the left-wing Syriza Party, taking nearly 41 percent of the vote to the opposition’s 18 percent.
Additionally, three smaller far-right parties saw gains of their own — reflecting a trend seen in recent years across Europe. A newly formed party called the Spartans — backed by Ilias Kasidiaris, the imprisoned spokesperson of the outlawed neo-Nazi political party Golden Dawn — was able to win more than 3 percent of the vote, guaranteeing it 13 seats in parliament. Niki, a religious party that’s known for opposing Covid-19 vaccine efforts, and Elliniki Lysi, or Greek Solution, a far-right populist party, also won enough votes to get their own seats.
Another term of center-right New Democracy leadership is expected to build on economic inroads the country has made in the wake of an extended financial crisis. Mitsotakis has said he’s dedicated to restoring the country’s credit rating, spurring the economy by making borrowing cheaper and pushing for more foreign investment. His victory came despite a recent tragedy that claimed dozens of migrant lives in a boat wreck, a train collision that killed nearly 60, as well…
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