Date: June 26, 2023
Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the leader of Greece’s conservative New Democracy party, has emerged victorious in the national elections, securing a resounding majority and earning a second term as the country’s Prime Minister. Mitsotakis, aged 55, campaigned on a platform of major reforms aimed at transforming Greece, and his party’s success in nursing the nation back to economic health after a severe debt crisis has been rewarded by voters.
The margin of victory for Mitsotakis and his New Democracy party is the widest seen by the conservatives in nearly half a century. With over 40 percent of the vote, they are set to secure at least 158 seats in the 300-seat parliament, as per the preliminary results. In contrast, the leftist Syriza party, led by former Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, lagged far behind with over 17 percent of the vote.
Addressing his supporters in a victory speech, Mitsotakis expressed gratitude for the “safe majority” given to his party and pledged to rapidly implement major reforms. As a former McKinsey consultant and Harvard graduate, he brings a strong background in economics and governance to his role. Mitsotakis outlined his ambitious targets for his second term, expressing a determination to transform Greece for the better.
Under Mitsotakis’ leadership, Greece successfully navigated the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and achieved two consecutive years of robust economic growth. His administration’s focus on fiscal responsibility, attracting investments, and implementing structural reforms has garnered confidence from the electorate, leading to their decisive mandate.
The election results also marked a significant turning point, as Greek voters distanced themselves from key figures who played prominent roles during the debt crisis. Former finance minister Yanis Varoufakis’s radical-left MeRA25 party failed to reach the three percent threshold required to enter parliament. Furthermore, Tsipras’s party experienced a further decline in support, losing an additional 275,000 votes compared to the previous election in May.
Mitsotakis’ inability to form a single-party government by a mere five seats forced a second round of voting, but his refusal to pursue a coalition demonstrated his confidence in securing a more decisive victory. Ultimately, his strategy paid off, as Greek voters reaffirmed their trust in his leadership and vision for the country’s future.
As Greece looks ahead to the next four years, there is optimism that the country will continue on its path of stability, economic growth, and reforms under Mitsotakis’ leadership. With a clear mandate and a broad majority, the Prime Minister and his party are well-positioned to steer Greece toward further progress and prosperity on both domestic and international fronts.