1915–1967

This period was mainly ruled between the right-wing and the centre.

The major parties that emerged were the People’s Party and the Liberal Party. In 1926, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), which would later define the left for years, entered the parliament.

From 1950 to 1963, the predominant parties that won all elections in this period were the People’s Party (later Hellenic Rally) and the National Radical Union (ERE) (both from the right).

1974–2009

After the seven-year dictatorship ended, the former leader of ERE, Konstantinos Karamanlis, was called back from exile to form a new government and then created the New Democracy (ND) party. Monarchy was abolished in 1974, making the political parties the sole determinants of politics in Greece.

Further, 1974 saw the establishment of a new party, the Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) under Andreas Papandreou, representing a socialist ideology. For the decades to come, PASOK and New Democracy were the two parties that dominated Greek politics, creating a formidable two-party system, with the communist party KKE coming third.

The party system during this period was characterised by strong bureaucratic clientelism.

2009–present

The global economic crisis that heavily affected Greece had an impact in reshaping the party system that had been stagnant for decades. Confidence in the traditional parties declined; this led to the end of the continuous two-party system and single-party governments. There was new movement towards the creation of coalitions and an increase in the number of parties entering parliament.

The party that rose through the crisis was the Coalition of the Radical Left (SYRIZA). It finished second on the crucial May 2012 legislative elections and later won the 2015 elections. It was the first party from the left wing in Greece's history to win an election.

A new split in the party system ideology (created during the economic crisis) which was evident in the 2012 elections was a pro- or anti-European stance. This resulted in an unprecedented coalition between the major traditional parties New Democracy and PASOK and the minor party DIMAR. Similarly, the coalition that was created after the 2015 elections between SYRIZA, a left-wing party, and ANEL, a populist right party, was based on their common views regarding Europe.

This period of turmoil also saw the rise of the controversial far-right party Golden Dawn. It became a third party in parliament after the 2015 elections.

In 2018, the past major party PASOK merged with other centrist parties and created the Movement of Change (KINAL) formation.

The elections in 2019 saw a return to a single party government with the continuously dominant New Democracy claiming the majority in parliament.

Parties during the reign of King Otto (1833–1862)

• English Party (Greek: Αγγλικό Κόμμα) (liberal, pro-English) (1824–1863)
• French Party (Greek: Γαλλικό Κόμμα) (liberal, pro-French) (1824–1863)
• Russian Party (Greek: Ρώσικο Κόμμα) (conservative, pro-Russian) (1825–1863)
• Party of Radicals (Greek: Κόμμα των Ριζοσπαστών) (radical, pro-union) (1848–1864) in the United States of the Ionian Islands

Parties during the reign of King George I (1863–1913)

• Liberal Party (Greek: Κόμμα Φιλελευθέρων) (Liberal) (1910–1961)
• Nationalist Party (Greek: Κόμμα Εθνικόφρονων, K.E.) – Komma Ethnikofronon, KE (conservative, nationalist) (1865–1909)
• Modernist Party (Greek: Νεωτεριστικόν Κομμα, Ν.Κ.) – Neoteristikon Komma, ΝΚ (Liberal, Liberal Nationalist) (1875–1910)

Parties during the reign of King Constantine I - Alexander – George II (1913–1924)

• Freethinkers' Party (Greek: Κόμμα των Ελευθερόφρονων K.E.) – Komma Eleftherofronon (Nationalist, Royalist) (1922–1936)
• Liberal Party (Greek: Κόμμα Φιλελευθέρων) (Liberal, Liberal Nationalist) (1910–1961)
• People's Party (Greek: Λαϊκόν Κόμμα Λ.Κ.) – Laiko Komma, LK (Conservative, Royalist) (1920–1958)

Parties during the Second Hellenic Republic (1924–1935)

• Agrarian Party (Greek: Άγροτικό Κόμμα, A.K.) – Agrotikon Komma, AK (1926–1956)
• Conservative Democratic Party (Greek: Συντιριτικό Δημοκρατικόν Κόμμα, Σ.Δ.Κ.) – Syntiritiko Demokratikon Komma, SDK (1932–1936)
• Democratic Union (Greek: Δημοκρατική Ένωσις, Δ.E.) – Demokratiki Enosis (Liberal) (1926–?)
• Democratic Socialist Party of Greece (Greek: Δημοκρατικό Σοσιαλιστικό Κόμμα Ελλάδος, ΔΣΚ) – Demokratiko Sosialistiko Komma Ellados, DSK (Democratic Socialist) (1935–1950)
• Farmers' and Workers' Party (Greek: Άγροτικόν και Έργατικόν Κόμμα, Α.Ε.Κ.) – Agrotikon kai Ergatikon Komma/Agrotergatiko Komma, AEK (Rural radical) (1932–1936)
• General People's Radical Union (Greek: Γενική Λαïκή Ριζοσπαστική Ένωση, Γ.Λ.Ρ.Ε) – Geniki Laiki Rizospastiki Enosis, GLRE (1932–1936)
• Liberal Party (Greek: Κόμμα Φιλελευθέρων) – Komma Fileleutheron (Liberal, Liberal Nationalist) (1910–1961)
• Greek National Socialist Party (Greek: Ελληνικό Εθνικό Σοσιαλιστικό Κόμμα) – Elliniko Ethniko Sosialistiko Komma (National Socialist) (1932)
• Jewish Political Union (Greek: Εβραϊκή Πολιτική Ένωση) – Evraiki Politiki Enosi (1926–1932)
• Macedonian Union (Greek: Μακεδονική Ένωση) – Makedoniki Enosi (Conservative) (1935)
• National Radical Party (Greek: Εθνική Ριζοσπαστική Κόμμα, E.Ρ.K.) – Ethnikon Rizospastikon Komma, ERK (Conservative) (1932–1936)
• National Unionist Party (Greek: Εθνικόν Ενωτικόν Κόμμα, Ε.Ε.Κ.) – Ethnikon Enotikon Komma, EEK (1935–1950)
• People's Party (Greek: Λαϊκόν Κόμμα, Λ.Κ.) – Laiko Komma, LK (Conservative, Royalist) (1920–1958)
• Progressive Party (Greek: Προοδευτικόν Κόμμα, Π.Κ.) – Proodeftikon Komma, PK (1928–1964, 1981)
• Refugees' Liberal Party (Greek: Φιλελευθέρων Προσφιγικόν Κόμμα, Φ.Π.Κ.) – Fileleftheron Prosfijikon Komma, FPK (1926–?)
• Socialist Party of Greece (Greek: Σοσιαλιστικό Κόμμα Ελλάδας, ΣΚΕ) – Socialistikó Kómma Elládas, SKE (Socialist, Svolist) (1920–1953)
• Union of Royalists (Greek: Ένωσις Βασιλικών, EB) – Enosis Vasilikon (Monarchist-Conservative) (1935)

Parties during the restoration of King George II (1936–1946)

• Agrarian Party (Greek: Άγροτικό Κόμμα, A.K.) – Agrotikon Komma, AK (1926–1956)
• Conservative Democratic Party (Greek: Συντιριτικό Δημοκρατικόν Κόμμα, Σ.Δ.Κ.) – Syntiritiko Demokratikon Komma, SDK (1932–1936)
• Democratic Socialist Party of Greece (Greek: Δημοκρατικό Σοσιαλιστικό Κόμμα Ελλάδος, ΔΣΚ) – Demokratiko Sosialistiko Komma Ellados, DSK (Democratic Socialist) (1935–1950)
• Democratic Union (Greek: Δημοκρατική Ένωσις, Δ.E.) – Demokratiki Enosis (Liberal) (1926–?)
• Farmers' and Workers' Party (Greek: Άγροτικόν και Έργατικόν Κόμμα, Α.Ε.Κ.) – Agrotikon kai Ergatikon Komma/Agrotergatiko Komma, AEK (Rural radical) (1932–1936)
• General People's Radical Union (Greek: Γενική Λαïκή Ριζοσπαστική Ένωση, Γ.Λ.Ρ.Ε) – Geniki Laiki Rizospastiki Enosis, GLRE (??) (1932–1936)
• Liberal Party (Greek: Κόμμα Φιλελευθέρων) – Komma Fileleutheron (Liberal, Liberal Nationalist) (1910–1961)
• National Party of Greece (Greek: Εθνικόν Κόμμα 'Ελλάδος, E.Κ.E.) – Ethnikon Komma Ellados, E.K.E. (Monarchist, Conservative) (1946–1967)
• National People's Party (Greek: Εθνικόν Λαϊκόν Κόμμα, E.Λ.Κ.) – Ethniko Laiko Komma, E.L.K. (1936)
• National Political Union (Greek: Εθνική Πολιτική Ένωσις, Ε.Π.Ε.) – Ethniki Politiki Enosis, E.P.E. (Liberal) (1946)
• National Radical Party (Greek: Εθνική Ριζοσπαστική Κόμμα, E.Ρ.K.) – Ethnikon Rizospastikon Komma, ERK (Conservative) (1932–1936)
• National Unionist Party (Greek: Εθνικόν Ενωτικόν Κόμμα, Ε.Ε.Κ.)– Ethnikon Enotikon Komma, EEK (1935–1950)
• People's Party (Greek: Λαϊκόν Κόμμα, Λ.Κ.) – Laiko Komma, LK (Conservative, Royalist) (1920–1958)
• Progressive Party (Greek: Προοδευτικόν Κόμμα, Π.Κ.) – Proodeftikon Komma, PK (1928–1964, 1981)
• Reform Party (Greek: Μεταρρυθμιστικόν Κόμμα, M.K.) – Metarrythmistikon Komma, MK (1936)
• Union of Agrarian Parties (Greek: Ένωσις Άγροτικόν Κομμάτων, Ε.Α.Κ.) – Enosis Agrotikon Kommaton, EAK (Agrarian) (1946)
• Union of the Nationally Minded (Greek: Ένωσις Εθνικοφρόνων, Ε.Ε.) – Enosis Ethnikofronon, ΕΕ (Monarchist, Conservative) (1946)
• United Order of Patriot-Thinkers (Greek: Ηνωμένη Παράταξις Εθνικοφρόνων, Η.Π.Ε.) – Inomeni Parataxis Ethnikofronon, I.P.E. (Conservative) (1946)

Parties during the reigns of Kings Paul and Constantine II (1946–1973)

• 4th of August Party (Greek: Κόμμα 4ης Αυγούστου) – Kómma 4is Avgoústou, Κ4Α (Nationalist) (1965–1977)
• Center Union (Greek: Ένωση Κέντρου) – Enosi Kentrou, E.K. (Liberal) (1961–1967)
• Christian Democracy (Greek: Χριστιανική Δημοκρατία) – Christianikē Dēmokratia (socialist) (1963)
• Communist Party of Greece (Interior) (Greek: Κομμουνιστικό Κόμμα Ελλάδας Εσωτερικού) – KKE Esoterikou (Eurocommunism) (1968–1986)
• Democratic Socialist Party of Greece (Greek: Δημοκρατικό Σοσιαλιστικό Κόμμα Ελλάδος, ΔΣΚ) – Demokratiko Sosialistiko Komma Ellados, DSK (Democratic Socialist) (1935–1950)
• Greek Rally (Greek: Ελληνικός Συναγερμός, Ε.Σ.) – Ellinikos Synagermos, E.S. (Conservative, Royalist) (1951–1956)
• Politically Independent Alignment (Greek: Πολιτική Ανεξάρτητός Παράταξις, Π.Α.Π.) – Politiki Anexartitos Parataxis, PAP (Metaxist) (1950–?)
• Left Liberals (Greek: Αριστεροί Φιλελεύθεροι, Α.Φ.) – Aristeroi Fileleutheroi, AF (communist) (1950–?)
• Liberal Democratic Center (Greek: Φιλελεύθερον Δημοκρατικόν Κέντρον, Φ.Δ.Κ.) – Filelefthero Dimokratiko Kentro, FDK (Liberal) (1965–1966)
• Liberal Democratic Union (Greek: Φιλελεύθερη Δημοκρατική Ένωση, Φ.Δ.Ε.) (1956–1957)
• Liberal Party (Greek: Κόμμα Φιλελευθέρων) (Liberal, Liberal Nationalist) (1910–1961)
• Movement for Democracy and Socialism (Greek: Κίνημα Δημοκρατίας και Σοσιαλισμού) – (socialist) (1963)
• National Party of Greece (Greek: Εθνικόν Κόμμα 'Ελλάδος, E.Κ.E.) – Ethnikon Komma Ellados, E.K.E. (Monarchist-Conservative) (1946–1967)
• National Progressive Center Union (Greek: Εθνική Προοδευτική Ένωσις Κέντρου, E.Π.Ε.Κ.) – Ethniki Proodeutiki Enosi Kentrou, EPEK (1952)
• National Progressive Party (Greek: Δημοκρατικό Προοδευτικό Κόμμα, Δ.Π.Κ.) – Dimokratiko Proodeutiko Komma, DPK (1950–?)
• National Radical Union (Greek: Εθνική Ριζοσπαστική Ένωσις, E.Ρ.E.) – Ethniki Rizospastiki Enosis, E.R.E. (Conservative, Royalist) (1955–1967)
• New Party (Greek: Νέο Κόμμα, N.K.) – Neo Komma, NK (conservative) (1947–1951)
• Pandemocratic Agrarian Front (Greek: Πανδημοκρατικόν Αγροτικόν Μέτωπον) – Pandimokratikon Agrotikon Metopon (Socialist) (1961)
• Party of Christian Democracy (1956)
• Party of I. Sofianopoulos (Greek: Κόμμα του Ι. Σοφιανόπουλου) – Komma tou I. Sofianopoulou (communist) (1950–?)
• Party of Progressive Liberals (Greek: Κόμμα των Προοδευτικών Φιλελευθέρων) – Komma ton Prodethikon Fileleutheron (liberal) (1950–?)
• People's Social Party (Greek: Λαϊκόν Κοινωνικόν Κόμμα, Λ.Κ.Κ.) – Laikon Koinonikon Komma, LKK (1955)
• Progressive Party (Greek: Προοδευτικόν Κόμμα, Π.Κ.) – Proodeftikon Komma, PK (1928–1964, 1981)
• Progressive Rural Democratic Union (1958)
• Rally of Farmers and Workers (Parataxis Agroton kai Ergazomenon) – ?? (Agrarian) (1951–1952)
• Socialist Party-Democratic Popular Union (Greek: Σοσιαλιστικό Κόμμα-Ένωση Λαïκής Δημοκρατίας, Σ.Κ.-Ε.Λ.Δ.) – Sosialistiko Komma-Enosi Laikis Dimokratias, SK-ELD (Socialist) (1950–1952)
• Union of the People's Party (1958)
• United Democratic Left (Greek: Ενιαία Δημοκρατική Αριστερά, Ε.Δ.Α. – Eniaia Dimokratiki Aristera, EDA (Communist) (1951–1977)

Parties during the Third Hellenic Republic (1974–present)

• Centre Union - New Forces (Greek: Ένωσις Κέντρου-Νέες Δυνάμεις) – Enosi Kentrou-Nees Dynameis (Social Democratic, Liberal) (1974–1977)
• Coalition of Left, of Movements and Ecology (Greek: Συνασπισμός της Αριστεράς,των Κινημάτων και της Οικολογίας, ΣΥΝ.) – Synaspismos tis Aristeras,ton Kinimaton kai tis Oikologias, SYN (Eurocommunism, Democratic socialism) (1991–2013)
• Democratic Alignment (Greek: Δημοκρατική Παράταξη, Δ.Π.) – Dimokratiki Parataxi, DP (1977)
• Democratic Alliance (Greek: Δημοκρατική Συμμαχία, ΔΗ.ΣΥ.) – Dimokratiki Symmahia, DS (Centrist, Neoliberal) (2010–2012)
• Democratic Left (Greek: Δημοκρατική Αριστερά, ΔΗΜ.ΑΡ.) – Dimokratiki Aristera, DA (Social Democratic, Democratic Socialist) (2010–2022)
• Democratic Renewal (Greek: Δημοκρατική Ανανέωση, DH.ANA) – Dimokratiki Ananeosi, DIANA (Conservative) (1985–1994)
• Democratic Responsibility (Greek: Δημοκρατική Ευθύνη, DHM.E. – Dimokratiki Efthini, DE (Patriotism,Social liberalism,Economic Liberalism,Pro-Europeanism,Syncretic politics) (2016–2022)
• Drassi (Greek: Δράση) (Liberalism, Classical liberalism, Postnationalism, Decentralization, Economic liberalism) (2009–2019)
• Drachmi Greek Democratic Movement Five Stars (Patriotic Socialism,Eurosceptic,Single-issue politics,Populism) (2013–2015)
• Greek Left (Greek: Ελληνική Αριστερά) (Eurocommunism, Radicalism, (Democratic Socialist) (1987–1992)
• Hellenic Front (Greek: Ελληνικό Μέτωπο) – Elliniko Metopo (Nationalist, Rightist) (1994–2004)
• Hellenic Women's Political Party (Greek: Κόμμα Ελληνίδων Γυναικών) – Komma Ellinidon Ginaikon (Feminist) (?–?)
• Left Radical Movement (Greek: Αριστερή Ριζοσπαστική Κίνηση) – Aristeri Rizospastiki Kinisi, A.R.K. (Socialism) (2015–2021)
• Liberal Alliance (Greek: Φιλελεύθερη Συμμαχία) – , FI.SY), Fileleftheri Summaxia, FS (Neoliberalism, Progressivism) (2007-2023)
• Liberal Democratic Union-Socialist Party (Greek: Φιλελεύθερη Δημοκρατική Ένωση-Σοσιαλιστικό Κόμμα, Φ.Δ.Ε.-Σ.Κ.) (1974)
• Liberal Party (Κόμμα Φιλελευθέρων) (1980–2012)
• The Liberals (Greek: Οι Φιλελεύθεροι) – Oi Fileleftheroi (Liberal) (1999–2004)
• Movement of Free Citizens (Greek: Κίνημα Ελευθέρων Πολιτών, Κ.Ε.Π.) – Kinima Eleftheron Politon, K.E.P. (Liberal, Liberal Conservative) (2001–2002)
• Movement for a United Communist Party of Greece (Greek: Κίνηση για Ενιαίο, ΚΚΕ) (Communist) (1993–1996)
• National Alignment (Greek: Εθνική Παράταξις, Ε.Π.)- Ethniki Parataxis, E.P. (Nationalist, Royalist) (1977–1981)
• National Creation (Greek: Εθνική Δημιουργία- Ethniki Dhmiourgia, (Rightist, Nationalist) (2022–2023)
• National Democratic Union (Greek: Εθνική Δημοκρατική Ένωσις) – Ethniki Dimokratiki Enosis (Rightist) (1974)
• National Political Union (Greek: Εθνική Πολιτική Ένωσις, Ε.Π.ΕΝ.) – Ethniki Politiki Enosis, E.P.EN. (Rightist, Nationalist) (1984–1996)
• National Popular Consciousness (Greek: Eθνική Λαϊκή Συνείδηση, Ε.ΛΑ.ΣΥΝ.) - Ethniki Laiki Syneidisi , E.LA.SYN. (Far Right,Greek Nationalism,Anti - immigration,National Conservatism,Euroscepticism) (2019-2023)
• New Reformist Radical Reconstruction (Greek: Νέα Μεταρρυθμιστική Ριζοσπαστική Ανασυγκρότηση, ΝΕΑ ΜΕ.Ρ.Α.) (National Conservative, Liberal Conservative) (2014–2015)
• Organisation of Communists Marxists-Leninists of Greece (Greek: Οργάνωση Κομμουνιστών Μαρξιστών-Λενινιστών Ελλάδας, ΟΚΜΛΕ) (Communist, Maoist) (1982–1993)
• Panhellenic Macedonian Front (Greek: Πανελλήνιο Μακεδονικό Μέτωπο, ΠΑ.Μ.ΜΕ.) (2009)
• Party of Democratic Socialism (Greek: Κόμμα του Δημοκρατικού Σοσιαλισμού, ΚΟΔΗΣΟ) – Komma tou Dimokratikou Sosialismou, KODISO (social democratic, democratic socialist) (1979–1989)
• Party of Hellenism (Greek: Κόμμα Ελληνισμού) – Komma Ellinismou (Nationalist, Populist) (1984–2004)
• Party of New Liberals (Greek: Kόμμα των Nεοφιλελευθέρων, K.N.) – Komma ton Neofileftheron, KN (Liberal, Liberal Conservative) (1977–1978)
• Patriotic Alliance (Greek: Πατριωτική Συμμαχία) – Patriotiki Symmachia, PATRI.S. (Nationalist, Far Right) (2004–2007)
• Peoples Democratic Unity – LDE (1977)
• Political Spring (Greek: Πολιτική Άνοιξη) – POL.AN (Conservative, Nationalist) (1993–2004)
• Popular Union of Bipartisan Social Groups (Greek: Λαϊκές Ενώσεις Υπερκομματικών Κοινωνικών Ομάδων) – LEFKO (Populist) (1989–?)
• Progress and Left Forces Alliance (Greek: Συμμαχία Προοδευτικών και Αριστερών Δυνάμεων) (Democratic socialism, Christian socialism, Eurocommunism, Radicalism) (1977–1981)
• Progressive Party (Greek: Προοδευτικόν Κόμμα, Π.Κ.) – Proodeftikon Komma, PK (1928–1964, 1981)
• Front Line (Greek: Πρώτη Γραμμή) – Proti Grammi (Nationalist) (1999–?)
• Radical Left Front (Greek: Μέτωπο Ριζοσπαστικής Αριστεράς) – ME.R.A. (Radical Left) (1999–2009)
• Radical Movement of Social Democratic Alliance (Greek: Ριζοσπαστική Κίνηση Σοσιαλδημοκρατικής Συμμαχίας) – RIKSSY (Social democracy) (2012–2013)
• Radical National Rally (Greek: Ριζοσπαστικός Εθνικός Συναγερμός) – Rizospastikós Ethnikós Synagermós, RIZ.ES (National conservatism) (2015-2018)
• Renewing Communist Ecological Left (Greek: Ανανεωτική Κομμουνιστική Οικολογική Αριστερά) – AKOA (Eurocommunism, environmentalism) (1987–2013)
• Reformers for Democracy and Development (Μεταρρυθμιστές της Αριστεράς για τη Δημοκρατία και την Ανάπτυξη) (2014–?)
• Republican Union (Greek: Δημοκρατική Ένωσις, Δ.Ε.) – Dimokratiki Enosis, DE
• Revolutionary Communist Party of Greece (Greek: Επαναστατικό Κουμουνιστικό Κόμμα 'Ελλάδος) – Epanastatiko Koumounistiko Komma Ellados, EKKE (Communist) (1974–?)
• Society – Political Party of the Successors of Kapodistrias (Greek: Κοινωνία - Πολιτική παράταξη συνεχιστών του Καποδίστρια) – Koinonía - Politikí parátaxi synechistón tou Kapodístria, KOINONIA (kapodistrism) (2008-2020)
• Union for the Homeland and the People (Greek: Ένωση για την Πατρίδα και τον Λαό) – Enosi gia tin Patrida kai ton Lao , EPAL (Christian Democracy) (2014–2015)
• Teleia (Greek: Τελεία) – Teleia (Liberalism) (2014–2017)
• The River (Greek: Το Ποτάμι) – To Potami (Social Liberalism, Social democracy) (2014–2019)
• Unitary Front (Greek: Ενωτική Κίνηση) – Enotiki Kinisi, (Democratic socialism) (2011–2013)
• United Democratic Left (Greek: Ενιαία Δημοκρατική Αριστερά) – Eniaia Dimokratiki Aristera (Democratic socialism, Communism, Pacifism) (1951–1977)
• United Left (Greek: Ενωμένη Αριστερά) (Communism, Democratic socialism, Eurocommunism) (1974–1977)
• United Nationalist Movement (Greek: Ενιαίο Εθνικιστικό Κίνημα, ΕΝ.Ε.Κ.) – Eniaio Ethnikistiko Kinima, ENEK (Extreme Right, Nationalist) (1979–1989)
• United Socialist Alignment of Greece (Greek: Ενιαία Σοσιαλιστική Παράταξη Ελλάδας, Ε.Σ.Π.Ε.) – Eniaia Sosialistiki Parataxi Elladas (Socialist) (1984–1989)
• Golden Dawn (Greek: Λαϊκός Σύνδεσμος – Χρυσή Αυγή) – Laïkós Sýndesmos – Chrysí Avgí (Ultranationalism) (1993–2020, banned)