Greece: Election and Aftermath (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
June 9, 2000 |
| Report Number |
RS20575 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Carol Migdalovitz, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
Summary:
Prime Minister Simitis of Greece called an early election for April 9, 2000 because he believed
that
his government's achievement in meeting the criteria for entry into the European Monetary Union
(EMU) would return his PanHellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) party to power. PASOK's
narrow victory endorsed Simitis's decision, but the opposition New Democracy's (ND) strong
showing also validated Costas Karamanlis's leadership of that party. The election continued a trend
toward bipolarism, as votes for smaller parties, except for the Communists, declined appreciably.
Simitis reappointed most key members of his previous government, and brought in close allies and
technocrats to carry out a revitalized domestic agenda. In foreign policy, the government will try to
continue the Greek-Turkish rapprochement, to help stabilize the Balkans, and to move closer to
Europe through the EMU and the European Security and Defense Policy. Greek-U.S. relations are
warm, but intermittently troubled by differences over the future of the former Yugoslavia, terrorism
and counterterrorism in Greece, and minor issues. This report will be updated if developments
warrant.
