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Niki (Greek political party)

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Democratic Patriotic Movement "Niki"
Δημοκρατικό Πατριωτικό Κίνημα "Νίκη"
AbbreviationNIKI (Victory)
LeaderDimitris Natsios
FounderDimitris Natsios
Founded17 June 2019 (2019-06-17)
HeadquartersThessaloniki
Youth wingNIKI Youth[1]
Ideology
Political positionFar-right[14]
ReligionGreek Orthodox Church
European Parliament groupNon-Inscrits
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”),[15] often shortened to simply Niki (Victory), is a far-right political party in Greece. It was founded by educator Dimitris Natsios in 2019.[16] 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.[17]

Its main programmatic positions are defined as, "Faith, Fatherland, Family",[18][19] the radical restructuring of education in Greek schools,[20] changing Greek nationality law in regards to immigrants and refugees and the adoption of measures to solve the demographic problem,[21] such as supporting large families and the traditional family.[22][23] The party is supportive of the Greek Orthodox Church and has been described as "ultra-religious".[24][25]

History

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.[26] He emerged in the polls shortly before the May 2023 elections.[27][28] In the elections of June 2023, it collected 192,154 votes, i.e. 3.7% and entered the Greek Parliament with 10 seats.[29] He gathered the largest percentages in Northern Greece and specifically in Macedonia.[30]

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.[31]

Niki is said to receive support from the monasteries of Mount Athos and Christian Orthodox brotherhoods,[32][33] however the Philotheou Monastery and the Karakallos Monastery publicly denied the reports.[34][35] Archbishop Hieronymos expressed his opposition to the instrumentalization of faith,[36] and Metropolitan Anthimos of Alexandroupolis referred to the intervention of ecclesiastical circles in favor of parties.[37][38]

Ideology and positions

Niki is often described as ultraconservative with faith, fatherland and family as the main axes,[39] however, the party president denies the left-right political arc, stating that they do not identify with the right, the left or the centre.[40][41] It has been described as a party with ultra-Orthodox beliefs and as "ultra-religious"[42][43] According to the party's manifesto, former politicians, government officials and freemasons are not accepted as party members[28] 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.[44]

The party often refers to characteristics of the Greek nation which it promotes such as language, history and tradition,[45] while it places special emphasis on education, criticizing certain content of school books and prejudicing the writing of new ones.[46][28] It opposes sex education in schools and abortion.[47] The party is against LGBT adoption and marriage.[48] It states its opposition to mandatory medical procedures,[49][50] such as the vaccination during Covid-19 and questions the safety of these vaccines.[51] [52] The party has endorsed vaccine hesitant views during the COVID-19 pandemic.[51][53][54]

In matters of foreign policy, the party completely rejects the Prespa Agreement.[55] It maintains a neutral attitude towards third countries, believing that the Byzantine imperial heritage, the Orthodox unifying character, can feed an international focus of stability and balance in the Balkan Peninsula.[56] It disagrees with Greece's support for Ukraine regarding Russia's invasion, instead preferring neutrality.[57] The party has been referred to as "pro-Russia".[58] Regarding Greece's relations with Turkey the party takes a hardline approach to their disputes.[vague][51] During the Israel–Hamas war, the party has called for peace between the two sides and for the Greek government to advocate for the protection of Orthodox Christians affected by the conflict.[59]

Party structure

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.[60] 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.[61] 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.[62][63]

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.[64][65]

Election results

Hellenic Parliament

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

European Parliament
Election Votes % ±pp Seats won +/− Rank Leader EP Group
2024 174,574 4.37% New
1 / 21
 New 6th Dimitris Natsios NI

Notes

^a Omaichmia is an ancient greek word means union for battle, defensive alliance, league. [66] ^b senate [67]

References

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  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.
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