The far right in Greece after the European and US elections

Of the 31 parties that contested the European elections in Greece in June 2024, 12 were from the far right. Three of these entered the 10th EU Parliament: the Greek Solution (Ellinikí Lýsi – EL) received 9.30% and thus 2 seats, the Democratic Patriotic Movement (Dimokratikó Patriotikó Kínima - Niki) received 4.37% and one seat, and the Voice of Reason (Foni Logikis – FL) received 3.04% and one seat. The trend that these three parties had already shown in the two parliamentary elections in 2023 has thus been confirmed.

What positions do these three parties represent?

About Ellinikí Lýsi - EL

The leader of EL, Kyriakos Velopoulos, a former TV presenter who sold coronavirus ointments and “Jesus letters,” pursues a populist policy with a double message. On the one hand, in order to avoid being labeled as far-right, he praises the historic leader of the socialist party, Andreas Papandreou. Velopoulos declares that he would “govern for the poor” and presents himself as an entrepreneur with a social conscience. On the other hand, he utilizes the entire ideological arsenal of the far right: nationalism, racism, economic chauvinism, and calls for an authoritarian state. During the coronavirus pandemic, Velopoulos has exploited religious sentiments and widespread irrationalism to promote unscientific views and conspiracy theories.

Political observers describe his tactical maneuvering and opportunism as his most prominent characteristics in the political arena. Although he wants to oppose the ruling Nea Dimokratia party, he has no problem siding with the government on important bills, especially those that could work in his favor. Velopoulos was such a willing helper to the government when it was rocked by scandals.

Relations to the European Far-right

The Greek far right is mostly distancing itself cautiously from Germany's AfD for three reasons: 1) its chauvinistic stance on the Greek economic crisis, 2) its own stance in favor of demanding reparations from Germany, and 3) the recent rift between Le Pen and Meloni with the AfD. Nevertheless, EL leader Velopoulos recently spoke appreciatively of an “AfD victory.” Greek MEPs are also divided in the European Parliament: the EL MEPs have ended up in the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group under Giorgia Meloni.

The leading candidate of the Voice of Reason for the European elections and current MEP, Afroditi Latinopoulou, had presented herself as the “Greek Meloni” before the European elections, but nevertheless joined the newly founded Patriots for Europe (PfE) under Viktor Orbán. The chairman of the PfE, Jordan Bardella of France's Rassemblement National, promoted the Voice of Reason as a “sister party” in an interview with the newspaper Kathimerini. Only Niki is not registered with any political group in the European Parliament.

Attitudes towards Russia

Greek politics is very pro-Russian, on both the right and the left. Nevertheless, representatives of the Greek far right present a mixed picture when it comes to relations with Russia. EL leader Velopoulos claimed that “without Russia, Greece is finished.” He promotes his “personal relationship” with Putin and wrote the book Putin's Russia in 2015. Despite this orientation, his stance is pro-NATO. Latinopoulou, on the other hand, voted in the European Parliament in October for a €35 billion loan from Russian assets to Ukraine, which frustrates pro-Russian right-wing extremists. She has the clearest pro-NATO line among the three far-right parties. Dimitrios Natsios, head of Niki, opposes Greek support for Ukraine and considers the current government's position on Russia “suicidal.” Natsios is associated with Christian Orthodox monks and brotherhoods on Mount Athos who support Putin and receive Russian funding.

and to Trump

However, there is sheer joy and unity in relation to US President-elect Donald Trump. Velopoulos (EL) wrote even before the re-election in favor of Trump that he was “happy,” as he said. Immediately after Trump's election, Latinopoulou appeared on a TV show and danced to the pop song YMCA. She declared that “light has defeated darkness.” Natsios of Niki said in a speech in parliament that “a day of hope has dawned for the entire planet” and that “dignity has triumphed, woke paranoia has been defeated!” The neo-fascist “Spartans” were also able to agree with this: In a statement, they congratulated Trump for “resisting the woke agenda and the globalized apparatus that seeks to eliminate national identities.”

In January 2025, Velopoulos proposed to the Greek Parliament that Elon Musk be invited to Greece to give a speech. Velopoulos claimed that this would demonstrate Greece's support for freedom of expression.

A detailed Simeio country report on Greece ahead of the EU elections can be found at Hope not Hate (PDF, English).

Dimosthenis Papadatos-Anagnostopoulos is a member of the Greek anti-fascist initiative Simeio.

Redacción: Ulli Jentsch