The article discusses the shift in Greece's political landscape since the crisis, highlighting the weakening of the traditional left-right divide in favor of a new distinction between systemic and anti-systemic parties.
The landscape of Greek politics has undergone significant changes since the crisis, as the classic left-right divide has weakened, giving way to new lines of division primarily centered on populism. In current polls, a notable 39.2% of voters identify as 'anti-systemic,' while only 37.9% consider themselves 'systemic.' This bifurcation reflects a dichotomy where supporters of the ruling New Democracy party (ND) represent the systemic bloc, while various smaller opposition parties settle into the anti-systemic role.
Despite the evident presence of these two blocks, the article questions why there is no strong anti-systemic pole akin to what existed previously. It notes that many of today's anti-systemic voters were once part of the anti-memorandum movement, which had found a potent voice in the SYRIZA-led government coalition. Now, however, the absence of a solidly established anti-systemic party raises concerns about the current political sentiment and voter mobilization in Greece.
The author suggests that economic conditions play a crucial role in these shifts, as current sentiments differ significantly from those during the crisis years marked by deep recession and high unemployment. It's important to understand that the emotional landscape of today’s voters is influenced by these historical contexts, leading to a fragmentation of anti-systemic voices into smaller factions that lack coherence and strength compared to their predecessors in the SYRIZA government.
