COULD GREECE'S NEXT PRIME MINISTER COME FROM THE DIASPORA?

The conversation between Economides and Stroumboulis centers on the idea that Greece may benefit from leadership that brings fresh perspectives, particularly from those with international experience and a deep understanding of both Greek heritage and global dynamics.

Economides emphasizes the need for relevance in leadership, stating, “What we're looking for is relevance to the position the country is in right now. If that comes from outside the established parties—absolutely, why not? But the key is diversity and alternative voices at the top.”

This perspective aligns with recent efforts by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to engage the Greek diaspora more actively in national affairs. In a speech delivered in Astoria, New York, Mitsotakis highlighted the importance of the diaspora in strengthening Greece's global relationships and encouraged greater participation from Greeks abroad. Prime Minister

The dialogue suggests that incorporating diaspora voices into Greece's political landscape could infuse the system with innovative ideas and broaden the scope of governance. It raises important considerations about how Greece can leverage

“What we’re looking for is relevance to the position the country is in right now. If that comes from outside the established parties—absolutely, why not?”

— PETER ECONOMIDES

HOW MANY GREEKS VOTE IN EACH ELECTION WITHIN GREECE AND OUTSIDE OF GREECE?

In the June 2023 Greek parliamentary elections, voter participation was as follows:

🇬🇷 Domestic Voting in Greece

Registered voters: Approximately 9.98 million
Turnout: 52.8%
Total votes cast: Approximately 5.27 million

🌍 Voting by Greeks Abroad

Registered diaspora voters: 22,857
Votes cast: 18,203
Turnout: 79.6%

This data indicates that while overall voter turnout within Greece was just over half of the registered voters, the participation rate among registered diaspora voters was notably higher, with nearly 80% casting their ballots. Greek City Times

It's important to note that the number of registered diaspora voters is relatively small compared to the total number of registered voters in Greece. This limited participation from the diaspora may be attributed to eligibility criteria, such as the requirement for overseas voters to have lived in Greece for at least two years within the last 35 years and to have filed a Greek tax return in the year of the election or the previous year.

These figures highlight the active engagement of the Greek diaspora in the electoral process, despite the stringent eligibility requirements and the relatively small number of registered overseas voters.

EXPLAIN GREECE’S POLITICAL SYSTEM AND LIST ALL THE PRIME MINISTERS IN THEIR HISTORY

🏛 Executive Branch

President of the Republic: Elected by the Parliament for a five-year term (renewable once), the President performs ceremonial duties and has limited executive powers, such as signing laws and representing Greece internationally.
Prime Minister: The leader of the majority party or coalition in the Hellenic Parliament, the Prime Minister is appointed by the President and is responsible for forming the government, directing domestic and foreign policy, and overseeing the administration.

🧑‍⚖️ Legislative Branch

Hellenic Parliament (Vouli ton Ellinon): A unicameral body comprising 300 members elected for four-year terms through a reinforced proportional representation system. This system includes a 3% threshold for party representation and previously granted a 50-seat bonus to the leading party to facilitate stable governance.

⚖️ Judicial Branch

The judiciary is independent and includes the Council of State, the Supreme Civil and Criminal Court, and the Court of Audit.

🗳️ Electoral System

Greece's electoral system is designed to balance proportional representation with the need for stable governments. Parties must secure at least 3% of the national vote to enter Parliament. The system has evolved over time, with adjustments to seat bonuses and thresholds to reflect the political landscape.

🏛️ Prime Ministers of Greece: A Historical Overview

Since the establishment of the modern Greek state in the 19th century, Greece has had numerous Prime Ministers. Below is a selection highlighting some of the most notable leaders:

Spyridon Trikoupis (1833): The first Prime Minister of Greece, serving briefly during the early years of the monarchy.
Eleftherios Venizelos (1910–1920, 1928–1932): A prominent statesman known for his role in expanding Greece's territory and modernizing the state.
Georgios Papandreou (1944–1945, 1963–1965): A key political figure during the mid-20th century, leading Greece through turbulent times.
Konstantinos Karamanlis (1955–1963, 1974–1980): Instrumental in Greece's post-war recovery and its accession to the European Economic Community.
Andreas Papandreou (1981–1989, 1993–1996): Founder of the Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) and a significant figure in modern Greek politics.
Kostas Simitis (1996–2004): Oversaw Greece's entry into the Eurozone and implemented various economic reforms.
Alexis Tsipras (2015–2019): Leader of the Coalition of the Radical Left (SYRIZA), known for his stance during the Greek government-debt crisis.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis (2019–present): Current Prime Minister and leader of the New Democracy party, focusing on economic reforms and modernization efforts.

For a comprehensive list of all Greek Prime Ministers, including their terms and political affiliations, you can refer to the detailed records available on Wikipedia.

Greece's political system has undergone significant transformations, from monarchy to republic, and through various political upheavals. Understanding this history provides context to the nation's current governance and political dynamics.

ARE GREEK POLITICS CORRUPT?

🇬🇷 YES — Corruption Has Been a Real Problem

For decades, Greece has struggled with systemic issues in both public administration and politics:

🏛️ 1. Clientelism & Patronage

Historically, political parties rewarded loyalists with public sector jobs or favors.
This entrenched a culture of political “favors” over merit-based appointments.

💼 2. Bureaucratic Inefficiency

Complex regulations and slow government processes have created opportunities for bribery and “under-the-table” transactions—especially in sectors like construction, licensing, and tax audits.

🏥 3. Public Healthcare & Procurement

The healthcare system has seen scandals involving overpriced contracts, backdoor deals, and pharmaceutical kickbacks.

💰 4. High-Profile Scandals

Cases like Siemens (alleged bribery of Greek officials), Novartis (pharma lobbying accusations), and political immunity controversies have eroded public trust.

✅ BUT — There Are Signs of Progress

Over the past decade, Greece has taken steps to modernize and increase transparency:

📊 1. Digital Reforms

Platforms like gov.gr have made many government services digital, reducing face-to-face transactions (and thus, corruption opportunities).

👩‍⚖️ 2. Independent Institutions

The Hellenic Authority for Transparency and the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office have more power today than ever before.

📉 3. International Monitoring

Greece’s ranking in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index has improved in recent years.
(2023: ranked 49th out of 180 countries—better than Italy, but still below most of Northern Europe.)

🗳️ 4. Public Awareness Is High

Greeks are politically engaged and increasingly vocal. Social media and independent journalism have helped expose wrongdoing and pressure change.

⚖️ So... Are Greek Politics Still Corrupt?

Corruption exists, but the system is evolving.
It’s not at the level of failed states or dictatorships, but it’s also not as clean as Northern European democracies.

The real challenge for Greece now is sustaining reforms, protecting whistleblowers, and closing the gap between law and enforcement.