Crisis, Authoritarian Neoliberalism, and the Return of “New Democracy” to power in Greece

Stasis. 2020. Vol. 10. No. 2. P. 181–208.

Mylonas Y.

This article focuses on New Democracy (ND), Greece’s main

conservative party, and its return to power in 2019. The study

enquires into ND’s hegemonic strategy and governing practice.

ND’s hegemonic strategy is grounded in both neoliberal and Far-

Right premises. This enabled ND to create a hegemonic block that

ranges from centrist liberals to far-rightists, while advancing an

anti-leftist ideological project, connected to progressing upper-

class interests. The ND administration unfolds an autocratic form

of executive governance that is based on legislating class-related

reforms, propaganda and effective control of the mainstream

media, and coercive force. These features reflect the development

of neoliberal authoritarianism in Greece. They represent “the new

form of bourgeois republic in the current phase of capitalism,”

bearing the traits of autocracy, illiberalism, and Far-Right

mainstreaming. The study deploys examples from ND’s political

discourse and from policies that the ND administration has

launched.

Keywords: European Union, Greece, Neoliberalism