Why Greece’s green parties are failing to bloom

The lack of a political culture that values environmental issues, the presence of antagonistic political trends, and persistent internal skirmishes are the primary obstacles that prevent the green parties in Greece from establishing themselves as a meaningful political force, according to experts. This failure becomes even more glaring as environmentally focused politicians across Europe make gains, driven by the escalating impact of climate change and the increasing prominence of sustainability issues on the political and public agendas.

In May election in Greece, held under a system of simple proportional representation seen as advantageous for smaller parties, the Ecologist Greens-Green Unity alliance received only 0.6 percent of the total, or 35,201 votes. The Green Movement secured 0.25 percent of the vote, or 14,627 votes. The Greek Ecologists, a fringe party led by...