Greek PM Mitsotakis, portrayed as a Trump fellow, has a declining domestic support base triggered by scandals and high prices under his governance.
Yet again, an ally of Trump faces unstable politics due to public unrest. This time of concern is Greek PM Kyriakos who has entered a remarkable ‘love fest’ with Trump as the latter showers him with support. Must be noted that Trump refers to Mitsotakis as “ a good man”, but this does not give the Greek leader political security and his parting, loss of votes, civil discord is anything but hopeful. Civil discontent and broken opposition are seeping into Greece’s apagmus and heavily populating it.
A Rightward Turn: Mitsotakis’ Shifting Political Stance
Liberal by nature, Mitsotakis’ policies have taken a dramatating right hand turn after Trump was elected. From bashing leftist “woke culture” to appointing a hardliner Makis Voridis as migration minister, his track record does not tell a good fiscal story. The change does coincide with an ever increasing wave of national disdain, though.
Domestic Discontent: High Prices and Scandals Fuel Anger
Climbing prices, government secrets and the desperately failing efforts behind a nation wrecking train crash is a train wreck in itself. Even the taxi drivers speak with scorn of the country’s policies, making this an issue on all political sides, which will shift the Narcos ism approach of suspending votes needed.
Polls Demonstrate Increased Public Discontentment: Problematic Decline
According to polls, Mitsotakis’ approval ratings are significantly dropping. 70% of Greeks believe the country is heading in the wrong direction, and 68% have a negative opinion of the prime minister. His New Democracy party won the June 2023 elections, but the party’s voter support is now only 27.3%, (down from around 33%) according to Mega TV.
Ineffective Fragmented Opposition
Or opposition is disunited as well. The leftist oriented Course of Freedom party led by Zoe Konstantopoulou is coming in second while polling at 15%, while socialist Pasok and right-wing Greek Solution are also close behind. Pasok’s leader Nikos Androulakis does not have it any easier either. 83% of citizens disapprove of him.
The Paradox of Coalition Politics: An Unfortunate Future
Facing a national election in 2027 means voting is still two years away. Forming a coalition government seems unavoidable. This becomes an uphill battle because one needs to navigate the wide gaps in the more radical leftist opposition. Exacerbating relations resulting from the economic crisis and the 2015 referendum make matters even worse.
Tsipras’ Possible Comeback: A Diminishing Reality?
Disregarded for much of the time, the former leader of Syriza, Alexis Tsipras, has been given focus owing to his lectures at Harvard and calls for European independence. He is unlikely to return any time soon according to his aides due to the lack of cohesion among the left-defectors.
Where Trump Stands: A Right-Wing Alliance
New Democracy, the euroskeptic Greek Solution, and the even further right Voice of Reason make up a coalition that Trump would favor hoping for a Pro Trump Athens. This situation however, would be very difficult for Mitsotakis to navigate as well because of Turkey relations.
Difficult To Navigate: Turkey and Internal Divisions
His liberal policies towards Turkey has already caused problems within the right-wing base of his own party. Add the possibility of a Trump—Erdoğan alliance and things get more complicated, further polarizing Greece politics.
Mitsotakis’ Continuing Struggle: An Uncertain Path Ahead
The more Mitsotakis faces these issues, the more ambiguous his political fate grows. The statement “You are asking for this government to go, so who can come in?” adds to claims surrounding his middle ground between domestic dissatisfaction and international expectations.
