ABSTRACT
This chapter presents Greece profiles of longstanding democracies and of the European Union, and provides essential detail on history, electoral system, political parties and cleavages, and governments. Modern Greece became independent in 1827, and a monarchy was established in 1831. Crete and part of Macedonia were added after the 1912 Balkan War. In the interwar period, Greece was bitterly divided between anti- and pro-monarchists, and suffered frequent military interventions. Since 1974 Greece has been fully democratic. A December 1974 referendum established a republic. The constitution of 1975 was modified in 1986 to make the president a pure figurehead. Greece joined the European Community in 1981. Greece has a complicated, multi-tiered electoral system. New Democracy represents Greece’s conservative tradition. The party was formed in 1974 as a centre-right, anti-socialist force. The economic crisis that begin in Greece in 2009 caused support for Panhellenic Socialist Movement to collapse, turning it into a small party, with SYRIZA becoming main party on the left.
