Movement of Democratic Socialists

Movement of Democratic Socialists
Κίνημα Δημοκρατών Σοσιαλιστών
Spokesperson Giorgos Petalotis,
Philippos Sachinidis[1]
Founder George Papandreou[1]
Founded 3 January 2015[1]
Split from Panhellenic Socialist Movement
Headquarters Piraeus 83 and Salamis, 105 53 Athens, Greece
Ideology Social democracy
Pro-Europeanism[2]
Political position Centre-left
Colors      Red
     Green
Hellenic Parliament
0 / 300
European Parliament
0 / 21
Website
www.tokinima.gr

The Movement of Democratic Socialists[3][4] (Greek: Κίνημα Δημοκρατών Σοσιαλιστών, Kinima Dimokraton Sosialiston) is a political party in Greece established on 3 January 2015 by George Papandreou after splitting from the Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK).[1][5] The party officially uses To Kinima (Greek for The Movement) as the party's name abbreviation, although several media outlets and opinion pollsters have referred to it using the acronym KIDISO.[6][7][8]

History

Formation

The foundation of a new centre-left political party was announced on 2 January 2015 by George Papandreou, current President of the Socialist International, outgoing Member of the Hellenic Parliament and former Prime Minister of Greece, three weeks before the upcoming election to be held on 25 January.[9] This confirmed Papandreou's split from the Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK),[10] which he had led until being replaced as leader by Evangelos Venizelos in March 2012.[11] PASOK officials immediately denounced Papandreou's move as an "unethical and irrational political act"., accusing Papandreou of fracturing PASOK and being motivated by personal ambition.[12][10]

On 3 January 2015, KIDISO was officially founded in the auditorium of the Benaki Museum in Athens. Five PASOK MPs were joined the new party, including Papandreou and former minister Filippos Sachinidis, who will serve as the party’s media representative alongside former deputy minister Giorgos Petalotis.[1] Other well known PASOK politicians who joined KIDISO included former parliamentary speaker Filippos Petsalnikos and former minister Dimitris Reppas.[1]

A 16-page founding declaration, signed by 252 founding members[13] criticised the economic policies of the European institutions, supported the adoption of Eurobonds, and called for a "progressive, socialist, ecological Europe".[14]

2015 Legislative Elections

In the January 2015 legislative election, KIDISO received 2.46% of the national vote, thus failing to cross the 3% threshold to receive seats in the Hellenic Parliament.[15]

On 27 August 2015, PASOK officially ruled out a proposed electoral pact with KIDISO for the upcoming September 2015 snap election.[16] On 2 September 2015, Papanderou stated that financial restrictions meant that KIDISO had ruled out contesting the election.[17]

Election results

Hellenic Parliament

Hellenic Parliament
Date Votes Seats Position Size Notes
# % ± pp # ±
January 2015 152,230 2.5%
0 / 300
 8th

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Papandreou launches party, aims for post-election role". Kathimerini. 2015-01-03. Retrieved 2015-01-03.
  2. ↑ Parties and Elections in Europe: The database about parliamentary elections and political parties in Europe, by Wolfram Nordsieck
  3. ↑ "Papandreou launches party, aims for post-election role". ekathimerini.com. 2015-01-03. Retrieved 2015-01-24.
  4. ↑ "Papandreou unveils "Movement of Democrats Socialists" party". tovima.gr. 2015-01-05. Retrieved 2015-01-24.
  5. ↑ Stone, Jon (2015-01-03). "Former Greek prime minister George Papandreou sets up new centre-left political party". The Independent. Retrieved 2015-01-03.
  6. ↑ "KIDISO: New party's manifesto". newsbomb.gr. 2015-01-03. Retrieved 2015-01-06.
  7. ↑ "Σκληρό ροκ για ΔΗΠΑΡ και ΚΙΔΗΣΟ". capital.gr. 2015-01-05. Retrieved 2015-01-06.
  8. ↑ "Demis Nikolaidis, wanted for the lists of Papandreou's KIDISO". protothema.gr. 2015-01-06. Retrieved 2015-01-06.
  9. ↑ "Papandreou to launch new party". Kathimerini. 2015-01-02. Retrieved 2015-01-03.
  10. 1 2 MacKenzie, James (2015-01-02). "Former Greek PM Papandreou sets up new party, complicating election outlook". Reuters. Retrieved 2015-01-03.
  11. ↑ "Greece's Upcoming Election Just Got More More Complicated". Business Insider. 2015-01-02. Retrieved 2015-01-02.
  12. ↑ Stamouli, Nektaria (2015-01-02). "Papandreou's Return to Greek Politics Adds New Wild Card to Election". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2015-01-03.
  13. ↑ «Κίνημα - Δημοκρατών Σοσιαλιστών» το κόμμα Παπανδρέου ["Kinima Dimokraton Sosialiston," Papandreou's party]. 2015-01-03. Retrieved 2015-01-07.
  14. ↑ Διακήρυξη αρχών και στόχων [Grundsatzerklärung und Ziele]. Kinima. 2014-01-03. Retrieved 2015-01-07.
  15. ↑ http://ekloges.ypes.gr/current/v/public/index.htm
  16. ↑ http://www.ekathimerini.com/200979/article/ekathimerini/news/pasok-rules-out-cooperating-with-papandreou-party
  17. ↑ http://www.ekathimerini.com/201108/article/ekathimerini/news/papandreou-party-will-not-contest-in-snap-vote
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