Greece is heading toward a general election scheduled for 21 May, as announced by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the head of the conservative New Democracy party. The announcement came during a sitting of the Council of Ministers held on live television, where Mitsotakis explained that the vote would decide both the next Parliament and the government. The current legislature has decided to move the election forward, with a mandate that would have otherwise expired in June.
Recent polling suggests New Democracy holding a noticeable lead, with about 30 percent of voter support. The main opposition, Syriza, trails closely with around 26 percent, while the center-left Pasok-Kinal Social Democrats stand at roughly 10 percent. These figures shape expectations as campaign season begins in earnest, though they fall short of guaranteeing an outright majority for any party in the 300-seat chamber.
Mitsotakis underscored that his party would pursue an outright majority, but he also acknowledged the possibility that if a new government cannot be formed after the May vote, Greeks may be called to the polls again in early July. The prospect of a second ballot underscores the fragility and fragmentation currently observed in the Greek political landscape, as reflected by the latest polls and expert commentary in the domestic press.
The May elections will see a shift to a new proportional election system, replacing the bonus seats previously allocated to the leading party. In the July 2019 elections, Mitsotakis secured an absolute majority, but if a second vote proves necessary this time, the electoral system would allow the leading party to gain a larger, up to 50-seat bonus depending on the margin of victory. This reform aims to reduce the likelihood of extended minority governments and to intensify party competition during the campaign period.
In addressing his cabinet, Mitsotakis reviewed four years in office, highlighting the government’s handling of several major crises. These include the COVID-19 pandemic, the energy supply challenge, and tensions with Turkey, which have at times tested regional stability. He asserted that his administration had kept faith with its promises ahead of the election while acknowledging public concern over the state’s chronic inefficiencies. In the wake of a February railroad disaster that claimed many lives in central Greece, the prime minister pledged to push reforms that would strengthen state capacity, improve public services, and address persistent structural problems if entrusted with a new mandate.
Analysts note that the political environment remains fluid, with voter priorities continuing to evolve as candidates visit communities across the country. Observers in North America note that the outcome could influence broader European policy conversations on economic reform, energy security, and regional diplomacy. The next weeks are expected to bring a wave of campaign activity, with parties presenting policy platforms and attempting to mobilize key voter blocs in urban centers and rural regions alike. The evolving dynamics will be watched closely by international markets and regional allies eager to gauge Greece’s trajectory under a potential renewed government. The election result will determine not only the composition of the Parliament but also the direction of policies on growth, public investment, and regional leadership in the Balkans and the wider eastern Mediterranean region.