In a candid response to the European election outcomes, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis conceded that his party, New Democracy, fell short of its electoral objectives.
The ruling conservative party scored 27.9 percent of the vote, failing to match the 33.12 percent it received in the 2019 European election polls and significantly less than last year’s national elections.
Addressing the nation, Mr. Mitsotakis expressed respect for the electorate’s verdict, that saw a record rate of abstention and a pivot towards smaller factions.
“The voice of the public is clear, and it commands us to redouble our efforts,” Mr. Mitsotakis said, acknowledging the trust placed in him while recognizing the need for greater diligence. “We are committed to accelerating our progress towards a stronger European integration,” he added.
Mr. Mitsotakis highlighted the complexities of the electoral process, suggesting that the absence of a governmental vote may have influenced the decision-making of those who previously supported New Democracy in 2023.
He also lamented the insufficient discourse on the future of Europe and Greece’s role within it, as well as the electorate’s inclination to voice their daily grievances through their votes.
The Prime Minister’s remarks come amidst concerns over the rise of extreme right-wing factions within the European Parliament, a trend that has not spared Greece.
Far-right parties significantly increased their share of the vote, even as one of them, the Spartiates (Spartans), was barred from contesting the election.
Greek Solution tracked 9.5 percent of the vote, up from 4.18 percent in 2019, the ultra-religious Niki soaked up 4.4 percent and Voice of Reason barely made it over the 3 percent threshold to win representation.
Stefanos Kasselakis of the leftist, main opposition Syriza party said he was satisfied with his second place finish at nearly 15 percent although down from 23.75% in 2019.
Syriza’s tally comes after an internal party split last autumn and the stepping down of former prime minister Alexis Tspiras from its helm.
“We managed to shrink the gap [from New Democracy party] from 23 percent to 13 percent,” he said in his first statements on the electoral result outside of the party’s headquarters.
“The alibi of 41 percent is now over; this is a choice of the Greek people,” he said, adding that this is the first step for a party that moves and changes.
“I have no remorse about anything. The Greek people have clearly given me the time to build an alternative government proposal.”
The Communist Party, up to 9.3 percent from 5.35 percent in 2019, also said it was satisfied with its gains albeit coming in fourth place. SYRIZA dissidents from the New Left party however performed well under 3 percent, speaking of a “crisis in the political system.”