Jump to content

Niki (Greek political party)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Democratic Patriotic Movement “Niki”
Δημοκρατικό Πατριωτικό Κίνημα “Νίκη”
AbbreviationNIKI (Victory)
LeaderDimitris Natsios
FounderDimitris Natsios
Founded17 June 2019; 5 years ago (2019-06-17)
HeadquartersThessaloniki
Youth wingNIKI Youth[1]
Ideology
Political positionFar-right[13]
ReligionGreek Orthodox Church
Colours  Ochre
  Light blue
Hellenic Parliament
10 / 300
European Parliament
1 / 21
Website
nikh.gr

The Democratic Patriotic Movement “Niki" (Greek: Δημοκρατικό Πατριωτικό Κίνημα “Νίκη”, romanized: Dimokratikó Patriotikó Kínima “Níki”),[14] often shortened to simply Niki (Victory), is a far-right political party in Greece. It was founded by educator Dimitris Natsios in 2019.[15] In the parliamentary elections of June 2023, the party received a percentage of 3.70%, electing 10 deputies to the Hellenic Parliament in which today, it forms the 7th Parliamentary Group.[16]

The party is regarded as nationalist, ultraconservative, and supportive of the Greek Orthodox Church.[17] Its primary ideology is encapsulated in the triptych "Faith - Homeland - Family," a variant of the "Homeland - Religion - Family" (Patris - Thriskeia - Oikogeneia) slogan, a long-standing political identity of Greek nationalists.[18] Most analysts agree that with the emergence of Niki, Greek Solution and the Spartans, the far-right has reappeared on the country's political scene.[19][20][21] This marks the first time since 1974 that three distinctly far-right parties are represented in the national parliament.[22]

History[edit]

The party was founded by the public education teacher and theologian Dimitris Natsios on 17 June 2019 in Thessaloniki, after the signing of the Prespa Agreement and one month before the 2019 parliamentary elections, in which he did not participate.[23] He emerged in the polls shortly before the May 2023 elections.[24][25] In the elections of June 2023, it collected 192,154 votes, i.e. 3.7% and entered the Greek Parliament with 10 seats.[26] He gathered the largest percentages in Northern Greece and specifically in Macedonia.[27]

In the European elections of June 2024 it gathered a percentage of 4.42% and elected an MEP, Nikos Anadiotis, to the European Parliament. It formed the 6th Parliamentary Group of Greece in the European Parliament.[28]

Niki is said to receive support from the monasteries of Mount Athos and Christian Orthodox brotherhoods,[29][30] however the Philotheou Monastery and the Karakallos Monastery publicly denied the reports.[31][32] Archbishop Hieronymos expressed his opposition to the instrumentalization of faith,[33] and Metropolitan Anthimos of Alexandroupolis referred to the intervention of ecclesiastical circles in favor of parties.[34]

Ideology and positions[edit]

Niki has been described as a party that belongs to the far-right with ultra-Orthodox beliefs, which are seen as "ultra-religious"[35][36][37][38] or religious-nationalist.[38] It is often described as ultraconservative with faith, homeland and family as the main axes,[39] however the party president denies the left-right political arce.[40][41] According to the party's manifesto, former politicians, government officials and freemasons are not accepted as party members[25] due to "alleged corruption among these groups". The party also demands politicians who have participated in governments that are accused of wasting public money and increasing the public debt to be held accountable in justice, as well as to limit their right to re-election.[42]

The party often refers to characteristics of the Greek nation which it promotes such as language, history and tradition,[43] while it places special emphasis on education, criticizing certain content of school books and prejudicing the writing of new ones.[44][25] It opposes sex education in schools and stands against abortion, often arguing that unborn babies have rights.[45][37] The party is against LGBT adoption and marriage,[46] and many statements by the party leader and some of its MPs have been described as homophobic,[45][47][48][49][50][51] whilst Natsios also argued that there is a link between LGBT people and AIDS.[45] The party also states its opposition to mandatory medical procedures, such as the vaccination during Covid-19 and has promoted anti-vaccine conspiracy theories.[47][52][47][53][54] The party has also been accused of endorsing antisemitic conspiracy theories.[47][55][45]

In matters of foreign policy, the party completely rejects the Prespa Agreement,[56] arguing that: "In Skopje, there are no 'Macedonians', only Slavs, Albanians, Greeks, Roma, and Jews. There is no 'Macedonian language', only a Serbianized Bulgarian dialect."[45] It maintains a neutral attitude towards other countries, believing that the Byzantine imperial heritage, the Orthodox unifying character, can feed an international focus of stability and balance in the Balkan Peninsula.[57] It disagrees with Greece's support for Ukraine regarding Russia's invasion, instead preferring neutrality.[58]

The party has been referred to as "pro-Russia".[38] Regarding Greece's relations with Turkey the party takes a hardline approach to their disputes, whilst the party's leader has also argued that "the Turks are importing Hitler-like propaganda" to Greek schools.[59][47] During the 2023 Israel–Hamas war, the party called for peace between the two sides and for the Greek government to advocate for the protection of Orthodox Christians affected by the conflict.[60]

Party structure[edit]

The party is managed by two bodies. According to the statute, the main body is the Vouleftirion (Βουλευτήριον), a seven-member group that ensures the party runs smoothly in line with its statutory principles. Members of the Vouleftirion are independent of other organs, do not officially represent the party, cannot stand as candidates in any elections, and are unpaid.[61] It is often seen as a conclave of a select few who are unaccountable to anyone, as the identities of the Vouleftirion members are unknown, unlike the Omaikhmia, whose members are known.[62] This lack of transparency was highlighted during the June 2023 elections when the Vouleftirion replaced candidates chosen by voters in the May elections with others of its own choosing.[63][64]

The second body is the Omaikhmia or Homaichmía (Ομαιχμία or ὁμοαιχμία), a 28-member group that publicly represents the party's views and positions. The President of the party acts as the spokesperson for the Omaikhmia. Members are vetted for their integrity, honesty, patriotism, and religiosity before being appointed.[65]

Political analyst Giorgos Karabelias described the party's structure as "an organisational model of a mystical character - the community of believers - which, when applied to society (such as the papal state in the past or Islamism today), leads to totalitarian monstrosities."[66]

Notes[edit]

^a Omaichmia is an ancient greek word means union for battle, defensive alliance, league. [67]

^b senate [68]

Election results[edit]

Hellenic Parliament[edit]

Election Hellenic Parliament Rank Government
Votes % ±pp Seats won
May 2023 172,208 2.92% New
0 / 300
 New 6th Extra-parliamentary
Jun 2023 192,239 3.69% +0.77
10 / 300
 Increase 10 7th Opposition

European Parliament[edit]

Election European Parliament Rank
Votes % ±pp Seats won
2024 174,574 4.4% New
1 / 21
 Increase1 6th

Notes[edit]

^a Omaichmia is an ancient greek word means union for battle, defensive alliance, league. [67]

^b senate [68]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Νεολαία NIKH". Νεολαία NIKH.
  2. ^ "New Democracy maintains solid lead, poll finds". Kathimerini. 29 September 2023. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  3. ^ "Calendar of Racism and Resistance (20 June – 4 July 2023)". Institute of Race Relations. 6 July 2023. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  4. ^ Reed, Magdalena (22 May 2023). "Mitsotakis' conservatives secure landslide in Greek elections". MИА.mk. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  5. ^ Kirby, Paul (26 June 2023). "Greek elections: Mitsotakis hails conservative win as mandate for reform". BBC News. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  6. ^ "Greece". Parties and Elections in Europe.
  7. ^ "Εκλογές 2023: Αυτή είναι η ΝΙΚΗ του Δημήτρη Νατσιού – Οι σκληρές θέσεις για θρησκεία και ομοφυλοφιλία". May 23, 2023.
  8. ^ "Το ακροδεξιό, ομοφοβικό και "ψεκασμένο" αφήγημα του κόμματος "Νίκη"". ΤΑ ΝΕΑ. May 23, 2023.
  9. ^ "'Very worrying': Three far-right parties enter Greek parliament". Al Jazeera. June 30, 2023.
  10. ^ "Far-right victories in Greece highlight trend across Europe". NBC News. June 27, 2023.
  11. ^ "The Far-Right Just Made a Shock Comeback in Greece". Vice News. June 27, 2023.
  12. ^ "Greek far-right makes vote comeback". France 24. June 27, 2023.
  13. ^ [7][8][9][10][11][12]
  14. ^ "Εκλογές 2023: Τα 36 κόμματα που διεκδικούν την ψήφο μας". www.naftemporiki.gr (in Greek). 2023-05-21. Retrieved 2023-06-24.
  15. ^ "Εκλογές 2023: Δημήτρης Νατσιός, ο θεολόγος που έβαλε τη «Νίκη» στον εκλογικό χάρτη". ProtoThema (in Greek). 2023-05-18. Retrieved 2023-06-24.
  16. ^ "Αποτελέσματα εκλογών 2023 | Η ΝΑΥΤΕΜΠΟΡΙΚΗ". www.naftemporiki.gr (in Greek). 2023-05-21. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
  17. ^ Vassilis Asimakopoulos-Vasilis Fouskas (3 January 2024). "Greece: The Return of the Right". The Political Quarterly.
  18. ^ Thanasis Dimakos (21 August 2023). "Νίκη: η επιστροφή του τριπτύχου Πατρίς-Θρησκεία-Οικογένεια με μια παραλλαγή" ["Niki: the return of the Homeland-Religion-Family triptych with a variation]. efsyn.gr. ΕΦ. ΣΥΝ.
  19. ^ Georgios Samaras (4 July 2023). "Euroviews. In the most recent election, Greek far right made a sinister comeback". EURONEWS.
  20. ^ Chatzigiannakis, Orestis (28 June 2023). "A far-right turn in the Greek parliament". GPSG Pamphlet No.8. GPSG Thoughts on the 25 June 2023 election in Greece. Greek Politics Specialist Group (GPSG).
  21. ^ Tsirbas, Yannis (19 March 2024). "Towards a predominant party system: the May 2023election in Greece". Southern European Society and Politics. 28 (2): 207–230.
  22. ^ Lamprini Rori, Vasiliki Georgiadou (7 July 2023). "The June 25th elections and the complex mosaic of the Far Right". The Heinrich Böll Foundation in Greece.
  23. ^ "Εκλογές 2023: Δημήτρης Νατσιός, ο θεολόγος που έβαλε τη «Νίκη» στον εκλογικό χάρτη". ProtoThema (in Greek). 2023-05-18. Retrieved 2023-06-24.
  24. ^ ΙΝ, Σύνταξη (2023-05-04). "Άρχισαν να παίρνουν μορφή οι "ορφανές" ψήφοι της ακροδεξιάς – Ποιο είναι το κόμμα "Νίκη";". in.gr (in Greek). Retrieved 2023-06-24.
  25. ^ a b c ΙΝ, Σύνταξη (2023-05-21). "Εκλογές: Ποιο είναι το κόμμα "Νίκη" που παραλίγο να μπει στη Βουλή". in.gr (in Greek). Retrieved 2023-06-24.
  26. ^ Newsroom. "Τελικά αποτελέσματα εκλογών 2023: ΝΔ 40,55%, ΣΥΡΙΖΑ 17,83%, ΠΑΣΟΚ 11,86% – 8 κόμματα στη Βουλή". www.ieidiseis.gr (in Greek). Retrieved 2023-06-26.
  27. ^ "Το κόμμα Νίκη, η "Ελλάς-Ελλήνων-Χριστιανών" θεωρία τους και η "λίγκα του Βορρά"". ΤΑ ΝΕΑ (in Greek). 2023-05-26. Retrieved 2023-06-24.
  28. ^ Newsroom (2024-06-09). "Αποτελέσματα ευρωεκλογών 2024: Πώς θα δείτε τη σταυροδοσία και ποιοι εκλέγονται ευρωβουλευτές". CNN.gr (in Greek). Retrieved 2024-06-09.
  29. ^ "Εκλογές 2023: Δημήτρης Νατσιός, ο θεολόγος που έβαλε τη «Νίκη» στον εκλογικό χάρτη". ProtoThema (in Greek). 2023-05-18. Retrieved 2023-06-24.
  30. ^ "Το σκοτεινό δίκτυο της Νίκης – Πώς το κόμμα του θεολόγου από το Κιλκίς έφτασε να διεκδικεί την είσοδό του στη Βουλή" (in Greek). 2023-06-12. Retrieved 2023-06-24.
  31. ^ "Εκλογές 2023 – Ιερά Μονή Φιλοθέου: Δεν έχουμε σχέση με το κόμμα ΝΙΚΗ". NewsIT (in Greek). 2023-05-30. Retrieved 2023-06-24.
  32. ^ "Εκλογές 2023 – Μονή Καρακάλλου: Ανυπόστατα τα δημοσιεύματα για ανάμειξη στις εκλογές και σχέση με το κόμμα «Νίκη»". Newsbeast (in Greek). 2023-05-27. Retrieved 2023-06-24.
  33. ^ ΙΝ, Σύνταξη (2023-05-27). ""Ως εδώ»: Παρέμβαση Ιερώνυμου για «εμπλοκή της Εκκλησίας και κληρικών της στα πολιτικά δρώμενα της χώρας"". in.gr (in Greek). Retrieved 2023-06-24.
  34. ^ "Μητροπολίτης Αλεξανδρουπόλεως κατά κόμματος "Νίκη": "Εργαλειοποιούν τη θρησκευτική ταυτότητα" | Liberal.gr". www.liberal.gr (in Greek). Retrieved 2023-06-24.
  35. ^ "Greece: Far right makes resurgence – DW – 06/30/2023". dw.com. Retrieved 2023-07-04.
  36. ^ "In the most recent election, Greek far right made a sinister comeback". euronews. 2023-07-04. Retrieved 2023-07-04.
  37. ^ a b Fallon, Katy. "'Very worrying': Three far-right parties enter Greek parliament". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 2023-07-04.
  38. ^ a b c Besliu, Raluca (4 June 2024). "How a far-right Greek party is gaining with a 'coalition of voters' ahead of the EP elections". The Parliament Magazine. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  39. ^ "Εκλογές: Ποιο είναι το κόμμα «Νίκη» που παραλίγο να μπει στη Βουλή". in.gr (in Greek). 2023-05-21. Retrieved 2024-06-17.
  40. ^ "Εκλογές 2023 - Δημήτρης Νάτσιος: Θα μπούμε στη Βουλή, δεν είμαστε ούτε Δεξιά, ούτε Αριστερά, ούτε κέντρο". ProtoThema (in Greek). 2023-05-22. Retrieved 2024-06-17.
  41. ^ "Εκλογές 2023: Στη Βόρεια Ελλάδα τα «κάστρα» της ΝΙΚΗΣ, παίρνει 10 έδρες – Ποιο είναι το κόμμα του θεολόγου Νατσιού" (in Greek). Prothema. 25 June 2023. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  42. ^ "Εκλογές 2023 – Νίκη: Το κόμμα του θεολόγου με τις σχέσεις στο Άγιον Όρος και τις εκκλησιαστικές οργανώσεις". ProtoThema (in Greek). 2023-05-08. Retrieved 2023-06-24.
  43. ^ "Εκλογές 2023: Δημήτρης Νατσιός, ο θεολόγος που έβαλε τη «Νίκη» στον εκλογικό χάρτη". ProtoThema (in Greek). 2023-05-18. Retrieved 2023-06-24.
  44. ^ Newsroom (2023-05-22). "ΝΙΚΗ: Ποιο είναι το κόμμα που για λίγες ψήφους δεν μπήκε στη Βουλή". CNN.gr (in Greek). Retrieved 2023-06-24.
  45. ^ a b c d e "ΝΙΚΗ: Ποιο είναι το κόμμα που χτυπά την πόρτα της Βουλής | Moneyreview.gr". www.moneyreview.gr. 2023. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
  46. ^ "Greece's conservatives win election majority to secure second term". POLITICO. 2023-06-25. Retrieved 2023-07-04.
  47. ^ a b c d e "Το ακροδεξιό, ομοφοβικό και "ψεκασμένο" αφήγημα του κόμματος "Νίκη"". ΤΑ ΝΕΑ (in Greek). 2023-05-23. Retrieved 2023-06-24.
  48. ^ newsroom (2023-11-28). "Οι ομοφοβικές ερωτήσεις βουλευτών του κόμματος ΝΙΚΗ". Antivirus Magazine (in Greek). Retrieved 2024-07-09.
  49. ^ "Νέο ομοφοβικό παραλήρημα Νατσιού". The TOC (in Greek). 2024-01-26. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
  50. ^ "Ομοφοβικό παραλήρημα από τον Νατσιό: Το παιδί με δύο μπαμπάδες είναι καταδικασμένο σε μια ιδιότυπη ορφάνια". in.gr (in Greek). 2024-01-26. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
  51. ^ "Ρωσόφιλοι, αντιεμβολιαστές, κατά των αμβλώσεων, παρα-εκκλησιαστικοί: Υποδεχτείτε τη «Νίκη» | LiFO". www.lifo.gr (in Greek). 2023-05-28. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
  52. ^ https://www.keeptalkinggreece.com/2023/07/03/niki-natsios-abortions-purity/
  53. ^ ""Νίκη": Γεροντάδες του Αγίου Όρους, αντιεμβολιαστές και ρωσοφιλία". HuffPost Greece (in Greek). 2023-05-27. Retrieved 2023-07-04.
  54. ^ Σουλιώτης, Γιάννης (2023-05-25). "Εκλογές 2023: Η Νίκη, οι μονές και οι αντιεμβολιαστές". Η ΚΑΘΗΜΕΡΙΝΗ (in Greek). Retrieved 2023-07-04.
  55. ^ Fotopoulos, Nikos (2023). "Η άρνηση του Ολοκαυτώματος πίσω από εκδήλωση στο ΑΠΘ". EFSYN.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  56. ^ "Εκλογές 2023: Δημήτρης Νατσιός, ο θεολόγος που έβαλε τη «Νίκη» στον εκλογικό χάρτη". ProtoThema (in Greek). 2023-05-18. Retrieved 2023-06-24.
  57. ^ "Εκλογές 2023 – Νίκη: Το κόμμα του θεολόγου με τις σχέσεις στο Άγιον Όρος και τις εκκλησιαστικές οργανώσεις". ProtoThema (in Greek). 2023-05-08. Retrieved 2023-06-24.
  58. ^ "Εκλογές 2023 – Νίκη: Το κόμμα του θεολόγου με τις σχέσεις στο Άγιον Όρος και τις εκκλησιαστικές οργανώσεις". ProtoThema (in Greek). 2023-05-08. Retrieved 2023-06-24.
  59. ^ Real.gr. "Δημήτρης Νατσιός: Οι Τούρκοι εισάγουν στα σχολεία μάθημα «Γαλάζιας πατρίδας» – Είναι προπαγάνδα χιτλερικού τύπου". Real.gr. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
  60. ^ "Ξεκάθαρος ο Δημ. Νατσιός: «Είμαστε αντίθετοι στους γάμους ομοφυλοφίλων»". Vima Orthodoxias. 15 October 2023.
  61. ^ "ΝΙΚΗ – Καταστατικό". NIKH (in Greek). Retrieved 2024-07-07.
  62. ^ "«Αόρατη αρχή» κινεί τα νήματα της «Νίκης» - Η δομή και οι κανόνες". ΤΟ ΒΗΜΑ (in Greek). 2023-05-07. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
  63. ^ "Το δεινόν βουλευτήριον". www.pontosnews.gr (in Greek). 2023-07-04. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
  64. ^ "Βελόπουλος, Ζωή, Νατσιός: Αποφασίζουμε και διατάζουμε!". www.makthes.gr (in Greek). Retrieved 2024-07-07.
  65. ^ "ΝΙΚΗ – Καταστατικό". NIKH (in Greek). Retrieved 2024-07-07.
  66. ^ "Ένας ολοκληρωτικός φονταμενταλισμός". HuffPost Greece (in Greek). 2023-06-01. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
  67. ^ a b https://www.lsj.gr/wiki/%E1%BD%81%CE%BC%CE%B1%CE%B9%CF%87%CE%BC%CE%AF%CE%B1
  68. ^ a b "Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, an Intermediate Greek-English Lexicon, βουλευτήριον".
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Niki_(Greek_political_party)&oldid=1233521732"