Greek Solution | |
Leader1 Title: | President |
Leader1 Name: | Kyriakos Velopoulos |
Leader2 Title: | Vice President |
Leader2 Name: | Dimitra Kritikou |
Leader3 Title: | Press Secretary |
Leader3 Name: | Giannis Skalkos |
Leader4 Title: | Founder |
Leader4 Name: | Kyriakos Velopoulos |
Foundation: | 28 June 2016 |
Headquarters: | Ippokratous 10-12, Athens |
Youth Wing: | Greek Solution Youth |
Position: | Right-wing to far-right |
Religion: | Greek Orthodox Church |
Europarl: | European Conservatives and Reformists[1] |
Seats1 Title: | Parliament |
Seats2 Title: | European Parliament |
Colours: | Light blue |
Country: | Greece |
The Greek Solution (Greek, Modern (1453-);: Ελληνική Λύση|translit=Ellinikí Lýsi) a political party in Greece founded by former MP Kyriakos Velopoulos. The party is right-wing[2] [3] to far-right and has been described as ideologically ultranationalist,[4] [5] [6] [7] [8] national conservative,[9] [10] [11] and right-wing populist.[12] [13] The party garnered 3.7% of the vote in the 2019 Greek legislative election, winning 10 out of the 300 seats in the Hellenic Parliament and 4.18% of the vote in the 2019 European Parliament election in Greece, winning one seat in the European Parliament.[14]
The party was officially founded in June 2016 by journalist Kyriakos Velopoulos, formerly a Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) member. It had previously been announced that a new party was to be founded by him.[15] A formal presentation of the new party took place in October 2016 at an event in the Peace and Friendship Stadium.[16]
In the 2019 European Parliament election, the party won 4.2% of the vote, electing a single MEP who sits with the European Conservatives and Reformists group. In the subsequent 2019 Greek legislative election, the party earned 3.7% of the vote, electing 10 MPs in the Hellenic Parliament.
In the 2023 legislative election in June and May the party slightly increased its percentage and in June one MP.
In the 2024 European Parliament elections the party followed the rise in the far-right capitalising on the banned participation of the Spartans and managed to increase its percentage by 5% going up to 4th place (Surpassing the KKE) and electing 2 MEPs[17]
Greek Solution is a religious[18] ultranationalist party that emphasizes action against illegal immigration,[19] [20] including installation of an electric fence on the Greece–Turkey border and detaining illegal immigrants on uninhabited islands as they await deportation. The party also advocates for shutting down NGOs operating in Greece, describing them as "trafficking companies". Velopoulos has expressed admiration for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and the governance of his Fidesz party in Hungary, particularly the country's economic and migration policies. He has also claimed the party stands for "Greece first", in reference to U.S. President Donald Trump's America First policy agenda.[21]
According to the party's website, Greek Solution plans to primarily invest in the primary sector of the economy[22] and geostrategy. The party opposes the Prespa agreement and the usage of the word "Macedonia" in the name of the neighbouring Republic of North Macedonia. Greek Solution is in favour of the proclamation of an EEZ and exploitation of the mineral wealth of Greece for heavy industry. It also supports the restructuring of the educational and health system.[23] Greek Solution supports positions that are favorable to the Church of Greece.[24]
The party expresses its support for economic nationalism.[25] [26] Greek Solution seeks friendly relations with China, India, as well as Russia by taking pro-Russian stances,[27] [28] while being skeptical of increased defense cooperation with the United States.[29] [30] In April 2024 Velopoulos stated that Vladimir Putin was forced to invade Ukraine. "They forced him to go to war. Imagine if the Russians sent troops to Mexico, to the border. The Americans would have invaded Mexico. They've sent troops all over Eastern Europe, they've made an anti-missile umbrella, and they've been waiting for Putin to swallow it. He's not going to swallow it. He's a strong leader.'[31] Εxpressed, also, the opinion that Greece needs leaders like Putin and Donald Trump.[32] Greek Solution also takes a pro-Israel stance, citing strong Palestine-Turkey relations.[33] In addition, the party expresses Euroscepticism.[34]
Election | Hellenic Parliament | Rank | Government | Leader | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Votes | % | ±pp | Seats won | +/− | ||||
2019 | 208,805 | 3.70% | New | New | 5th | Kyriakos Velopoulos | ||
May 2023 | 262,529 | 4.45% | +0.75 | 6 | 5th | |||
Jun 2023 | 231,378 | 4.44% | −0.01 | 4 | 6th |
European Parliament | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Election | Votes | % | ±pp | Seats won | +/− | Rank | Leader |
2019 | 236,349 | 4.18% | New | 1 | 6th | Kyriakos Velopoulos | |
2024 | 369,727 | 9.30% | +5.12 | 1 | 4th |