The party was officially founded in June 2016 by journalist Kyriakos Velopoulos, formerly a Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) member. It had previously been announced that a new party was to be founded by him.[26] A formal presentation of the new party took place in October 2016 at an event in the Peace and Friendship Stadium.[27]
In the 2024 European Parliament elections the party followed the rise in the far-right capitalising on the banned participation of the Spartans and managed to increase its percentage by 5% going up to 4th place (Surpassing the KKE) and electing 2 MEPs[28]
Ideology and policies
Greek Solution is a religious[29] ultranationalist party[35] that emphasizes action against illegal immigration,[36][37] including installation of an electric fence on the Greece–Turkey border and detaining illegal immigrants on uninhabited islands as they await deportation. Statements by the party have been described as xenophobic by the Greek press.[38][39][40] The party also advocates for shutting down NGOs operating in Greece, describing them as "trafficking companies". Velopoulos has expressed admiration for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and the governance of his Fidesz party in Hungary, particularly the country's economic and migration policies. He has also claimed the party stands for "Greece first", in reference to U.S. President Donald Trump's America First policy agenda.[41]
According to the party's website, Greek Solution plans to primarily invest in the primary sector of the economy[42] and geostrategy.[43] The party opposes the Prespa agreement and the usage of the word "Macedonia" in the name of the neighbouring Republic of North Macedonia. Greek Solution is in favour of the proclamation of an EEZ and exploitation of the mineral wealth of Greece for heavy industry. It also supports the restructuring of the educational and health system.[44] Greek Solution supports positions that are favorable to the Church of Greece.[45]
The party expresses its support for economic nationalism.[46][47] Greek Solution seeks friendly relations with China, India, as well as Russia by taking pro-Russian stances,[48][49] while being skeptical of increased defense cooperation with the United States.[3][43][50] In April 2024 Velopoulos stated that Vladimir Putin was forced to invade Ukraine. "They forced him to go to war. Imagine if the Russians sent troops to Mexico, to the border. The Americans would have invaded Mexico. They've sent troops all over Eastern Europe, they've made an anti-missile umbrella, and they've been waiting for Putin to swallow it. He's not going to swallow it. He's a strong leader.''[51] Εxpressed, also, the opinion that Greece needs leaders like Putin and Donald Trump.[52] Greek Solution also takes a pro-Israel stance, citing strong Palestine-Turkey relations.[53] In addition, the party expresses Euroscepticism.[54]
The party has consistently voiced anti-LGBT sentiments,[55][56] frequently targeting gay individuals, including Stefanos Kasselakis, leader of SYRIZA.[57] Kyriakos Velopoulos notably spearheaded opposition to same-sex marriage within the Greek Parliament in February 2024, with his statements widely criticized as homophobic.[58][59][60] Furthermore, the party opposes abortions and has called for legislative action through a referendum to restrict them.[61] It has also been involved in anti-Semitic rhetoric[62][63][64] and has shown sympathy towards aspects of the Great Replacement Theory.[65][66]
Petrakis, Maria (7 July 2019). "Conservatives seize power from Tsipras in Greek election". POLITICO. Retrieved 4 September 2019. A new party, the right-wing Hellenic Solution, is also set to squeak past the 3 percent mark, with 3.7 percent, to win 10 seats.
^"The Greek election's winners and losers". Macro Polis. 7 September 2019. A new addition to Parliament this time around is ultra-nationalist Greek Solution (Ellinki Lysi), which ran for the first time at the national level and gained almost 210,000 votes.
^"The Greek election's winners and losers". Macro Polis. 7 September 2019. A new addition to Parliament this time around is ultra-nationalist Greek Solution (Ellinki Lysi), which ran for the first time at the national level and gained almost 210,000 votes.