People of Greece – Weekly snapshot 23-30/10

Events of the week 23-30/10:

This week, Greeks watched:

the movements and public appearances of former Prime Minister Antonis Samaras regarding his new party,
SYRIZA’s decision to join forces with Alexis Tsipras’ party, which is currently being formed
the Ministry of Development’s announcement of an 8% reduction in over 2,000 supermarket product codes
the election of a new president in the occupied territories.

In addition to the above issues, the People of Greece platform recorded: Greeks’ fears about the future, their reaction to measures against inflation, the type of government they want in the future, and who they consider to be the best prime minister.

What do we learn about Greece and the Greeks from this week’s findings?

The fear of a new economic crisis is the number one nightmare scenario. Greeks are still living with the trauma of a decade of memoranda.
Three out of four Greeks see increases in supermarket prices, despite government announcements of reductions, while nine out of ten believe that the state is “not doing enough.” The trauma of a decade of economic crisis will be difficult to offset with regular measures against inflation.
The preference for a coalition government probably reflects fatigue with single-party politics and a desire for a more consensual political culture, but it is also possible that the electorate does not perceive the electoral stakes of a lack of government as significant at this point in time.
Greeks appear politically disillusioned and without a clear leadership preference. Although Kyriakos Mitsotakis is in first place, he has relatively low approval ratings as the “best prime minister scenario” (22%). Alexis Tsipras remains a recognizable but unconvincing alternative. The presence of other figures (Dendias, Karistianos) indicates a search for new, more “neutral” or “less worn-out” personalities.
Comparing the two potential party-building moves, by Alexis Tsipras and Antonis Samaras, both in terms of their overall and political audience, Alexis Tsipras’ momentum is clearly greater and could serve as a way out for SYRIZA supporters, while Antonis Samaras’ candidacy is more likely to cause a split within the New Democracy party.
The potential alliance between SYRIZA – Tsipras is viewed positively by the party’s base and by one-third of Greek society.
Indifference to developments in the occupied territories and pessimism about the future of the Cyprus issue indicate possible fatigue with “unresolved national issues.”

What did the survey record?

People of Greece – Weekly snapshot 16-23/10

Events of the week 16-23/10:

This week, Greeks watched:

the confrontation in Parliament over legislation concerning the management of the Unknown Soldier monument site,
the spread of sheep and goat pox in Greece,
the first week of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

On the sidelines of the above current events, the People of Greece platform recorded the extent of negative stereotypes about male and female gender, masculinity and femininity.

What do we learn about Greece and the Greeks from this week’s findings?

The issue of the Monument to the Unknown Soldier acts as a mirror of the political and ideological divisions in the country: the left sees it as a matter of democracy and political control, while the right sees it as a matter of order and institutional effectiveness.
However, the fact that a significant percentage (25%) consider the issue “secondary” shows fatigue with petty politics and a desire to focus on more pressing problems.
The attitude towards sheep and goat pox shows that Greeks, despite being informed, are not reacting with panic or changing their consumption habits en masse. This reveals maturity or possibly apathy, depending on one’s perspective: on the one hand, there is no excessive fear, but on the other, there may be low confidence in the value of warnings or a sense of powerlessness.
The stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict reflects Greece’s historical pro-Palestinian tradition, but also a new pragmatic shift. Most Greeks do not take a position (40%), but the majority (52%) believe that Greece should recognize Palestine. This indicates sympathy for the Palestinians, but also a distancing from bipolar thinking—a more neutral and “realistic” tendency that perhaps reflects fatigue with international dilemmas.
Young people appear to be more critical of the concepts of gender and masculinity.
The increased percentage of young people who view “masculinity” negatively indicates a transformation in gender perceptions — possibly influenced by discussions about #MeToo, equality, and social networks. At the same time, the acceptance of stereotypes (that men prefer younger women, women prefer wealthy men) shows that traditional perceptions coexist with modern ones, without a new balance having been achieved.

What did the survey record?

People of Greece – Weekly snapshot 9-16/10

Events of the week 9-16/10:

This week, Greeks watched:

Alexis Tsipras resign from his position as a member of parliament for SYRIZA, fueling rumors that he is founding a new party,
the announcement of the start date for the trial concerning the deadly train accident in Tembi,
the signing of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

On the sidelines of the above news, the People of Greece platform recorded the habits of energy market consumers with regard to the trend of changing providers and tariffs.

What do we learn about Greece and the Greeks from this week’s findings?

The popularity of a potential party led by Alexis Tsipras is estimated at between 7% and 19%, while the majority of Greek society (60%) views him negatively.
Even among SYRIZA voters in 2023, when Alexis Tsipras was still the party leader, only two in three say they are certain or somewhat likely to support a party founded by Alexis Tsipras.
The overwhelming majority of Greeks believe that the center-left is “cannibalizing” itself when it multiplies its formations. SYRIZA is seen as the first victim of the entry of a new party led by Alexis Tsipras into the political arena.
The issue of Tembi remains explosive, and its impact on political affairs is far from diminishing with the passage of time. Eighty-four percent of Greeks believe that developments surrounding the issue are negatively affecting the image of the New Democracy party, an increase of more than 10% compared to the spring 2025 polls.
Greeks appear skeptical about the maintenance of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, while the majority attribute its achievement to the US President.
The symbolic actions of activists on the shores of the Gaza Strip are interpreted in completely different ways by subgroups with different ideological orientations, with those on the left characterizing them as meaningful and those on the right characterizing them as provocative or communicative.
Greek energy consumers are increasingly turning to fixed electricity tariffs rather than variable ones, while 24% say they do not rule out the possibility of changing energy providers.

What did the survey reveal?

People of Greece – Weekly snapshot 2/10-9/10

Events of the week 2/10-9/10:

This week, Greeks watched:

the visit of the European Prosecutor to Greece and her statements on corruption and the functioning of justice,
the start of the implementation of the law on the automatic expulsion of students who have completed six years of study
the start of operation of private universities for the first time in the country.

On the sidelines of the above news, the People of Greece platform recorded the Subjective Well-Being Index of Greeks, the institutional trust indices, and the trust indices in business sectors.

What do we learn about Greece and the Greeks from this week’s findings?

Greeks feel less happy, with the subjective well-being index having fallen dramatically (-20%) over the last two years. Women and young people, the groups that historically support social reproduction, feel worse than men and older people.
Greeks do not feel that institutions function fairly or effectively. Institutional trust indices have fallen significantly over the past year, with the police and the justice system showing the sharpest decline (>30%). The only institutions with relatively higher trust indicators are the Armed Forces and Universities.
Greeks are also losing confidence in business sectors, with the relevant indices showing a general decline, with the exception of energy and pharmaceuticals, for which the confidence balance remains negative. There has also been a significant decline in confidence in the technology sector, which nevertheless remains the sector with the most positive balance. However, this finding probably indicates a fatigue with the narrative of progress.
Greek society is no longer surprised by revelations of corruption; it simply records them as a pathology. Nine out of ten Greeks agree with the view expressed by the European Prosecutor during her recent visit to Greece that there is well-organized corruption involving high-ranking officials. In general, the European Prosecutor’s statements received widespread publicity and had a negative impact on citizens’ perception of the government.
The law on the automatic expulsion of students who have completed six years of study divides Greeks on ideological grounds. Disability and work are accepted as exceptions, but financial difficulties are not.
The policies promoted by the government in the field of higher education are not considered important, with the marginal exception of the establishment of a university police force, which is accepted by right-wing voters but has been effectively withdrawn by the government.
Public universities are considered more reliable than private higher education institutions, but many Greeks (40%) believe that private universities will offer better services. The appeal of private universities is linked to more practical issues, such as easier admission to high-demand schools and better infrastructure.

What did the research reveal?

People of Greece – Weekly snapshot 25/9-2/10

News of the week 25/9-2/10:

This week, the People of Greece platform recorded the opinion of Greeks:

on Maria Karistianou and the influence of her positions on the evaluation of political parties,
on the requests by relatives for the exhumation of the victims of the Tembi accident,
on how to control the use of social media by minors,

What do we learn about Greece and the Greeks from this week’s findings?

Maria Karistianou’s approval rating in public opinion is close to 60%, with greater acceptance among women, middle-aged people, and the left.
Her positions have a negative impact on attitudes toward the party system, especially among young people and those on the left. The effect is most negative for New Democracy, without, however, favoring any of the opposition parties.
The almost universal support for the demands of the relatives of the Tembi victims shows that the issue has become a collective trauma.
Opposition to the removal of the hunger strikers from Syntagma Square shows that Greeks prioritize social protest over “proper decorum.” Even if the issue touches on symbols, the public supports the right to protest.
Greeks continue to see the family as the main regulatory pillar: parents should determine their children’s exposure to social media, not the state or the platforms.
However, those with older children or no children at all trust institutional solutions more, a finding that shows that everyday experiences influence perceptions of responsibility. In any case, the question remains whether parents have sufficient knowledge and tools to fulfill this role, as well as whether the lack of support turns their responsibility into guilt.

People of Greece – Weekly snapshot 17-24/9

Week 17-24/9:

This week, Greeks watched:

the temperature rise within New Democracy and PASOK due to statements hinting at disagreement with the choices made by each party’s leadership,
former PASOK minister and former candidate for the party leadership Andreas Loverdos joining New Democracy,
the national basketball team returning from this year’s Eurobasket with a bronze medal in its luggage,
Anna Vissi performing two sold-out concerts at the Panathinaiko Stadium.

What do we learn about Greece and the Greeks from this week’s findings?

The presence of the PASOK leader at the Thessaloniki International Fair does not seem to have made a significant impression on public opinion, even though his view that New Democracy should be excluded from government coalitions is shared by the majority of the public and is even endorsed by three-quarters of PASOK voters.
Citizens are skeptical of political moves such as those made by Andreas Loverdos, which they perceive as opportunistic rather than strategic.
Political leaders tend to be evaluated in the same way as the parties they represent. However, compared to Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Nikos Androulakis and Socrates Famellos fall short of their party’s ratings, according to their voters.
The search for alternative leaders (Nikos Dendias in New Democracy, Pavlos Geroulanos in PASOK) reveals a society seeking renewal in terms of personalities and style.
Very few political figures, and those mainly from the past, are considered unifying for Greeks – such as Andreas Papandreou and, marginally, Konstantinos Karamanlis.
Greeks do not expect unity from politics, but from other spheres of public life. In the field of music, Haris Alexiou stands out as the most unifying figure, with newer faces such as Anna Vissi and LEX particularly appealing to younger generations. On television, “beloved” figures who exude simplicity and familiarity (Grigoris Arnaoutoglou, Akis Petritzikis, Angeliki Nikolouli) are considered unifying. In sports, Giannis Antetokounmpo almost perfectly embodies the concept of a “unifying” symbol, with Milto Tentoglou and Nikos Galis completing the picture.
The attitude towards the national team’s performance at Eurobasket reflects a dual national mentality: on the one hand, realism and self-criticism (“we got what we deserved”), and on the other, a timeless sense of victimization (“we were wronged”).
The long-standing and intergenerational acceptance of Anna Vissi, which starts with Gen Z and extends almost to the Boomers, is due not only to her voice but also to the authenticity of her character.

What did the research showed?

People of Greece – Weekly snapshot 11-17/9

Week 11-17/9:

This week, Greeks:

discussed the new tax measures announced by the Prime Minister at the Thessaloniki International Fair, as well as Alexis Tsipras’ speech on the sidelines of the fair
followed developments in the murder case of far-right activist Charlie Kirk in the US
went shopping for school supplies and considered the options and possibilities for extracurricular activities they could offer their children
reflected, at the beginning of a new period, on their level of satisfaction with life in a big city and a provincial town.

What do we learn about Greece and the Greeks from this week’s findings?

Greeks appear cautious and skeptical about the Prime Minister’s policy announcements at the Thessaloniki International Fair. With the exception of the measure to reduce tax rates for families with children, which is considered essential by the vast majority of citizens, the Prime Minister’s other announcements divide Greeks whether or not they are substantial. The measures presented by the Prime Minister at the TIF are considered to fall short of their expectations, while measures considered to be “communicative,” such as tax relief for young people, are considered ineffective.
Alexis Tsipras’ speech in Thessaloniki did not convince most people that it brought anything new. In general, there is fatigue from the political rhetoric that is recycled every year at the TIF.
There is little but real acceptance of gun ownership, especially among young people.
A significant portion of the population follows and comments on international developments, such as the Kirk murder, showing a connection to global discussions, but with a strong ideological filter.
Private education is considered attractive if financial means are available, with selection criteria differing for right-wingers (quality of teachers) and left-wingers (infrastructure).
Those who reject private schools do so for ideological/value-based reasons, stating that they fear the formation of an “elite mentality.”
The high cost of extracurricular activities reflects the fact that education is a significant financial burden for families. With the cost of extracurricular activities for a high school student exceeding €300 per month for more than half of Greeks, the cost of supplementary education leading to public university exceeds €9,000, which explains the preference of lower economic strata for private universities, as recorded by People of Greece last week, as the cost of extracurricular activities for a high school student preparing for admission to a public university becomes comparable to that of studying at a private university.
One in two Greeks want school textbooks to be updated frequently, a finding that reflects an interest in a more modern education.
Although those who would like to leave Athens or Thessaloniki for a city in the provinces outnumber those who would like to do the opposite, a significant percentage of young people under the age of 34 continue to seek opportunities in large cities. Those over 55 who wish to seek opportunities in large cities cite their need for more freedom and anonymity as their motivation.
What did the survey reveal?

People of Greece – Weekly snapshot 3-10/9

Week 3-10/9:

This week, Greeks:

watched the speeches of Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Alexis Tsipras on the sidelines of the Thessaloniki International Fair,
explored higher education options at newly established private universities, and
many of them weighed up the importance of job selection criteria,
and assessed the past summer in terms of opportunities for holidays and relaxation.

What do we learn about Greece and the Greeks from this week’s findings?

The issue of private universities is divisive and strongly linked to age, social class, and educational level. Younger and less privileged people view them positively, probably because they perceive public education as a mechanism that effectively excludes them, due to the high cost of prerequisites such as high school tutoring and accommodation in a city far from their families. Older and more educated people are more skeptical, showing confidence in the public system or reservations about privatization.
There is a crisis of representation and fatigue with regard to “established” politicians. Greeks appear very distrustful of political leaders: none of them exceeds 20% in terms of “usefulness,” while appearances at major events (TIF, Economist) do not substantially change the image of the leaders. Evidence of the need for new voices outside the traditional political scene is the high degree of usefulness recorded for Maria Karistianou.
Younger generations in Greece appear to be more demanding and more conscious of the quality of work, and less willing to compromise their personal values. Older generations remain more focused on compatibility with their studies and professional careers.
Economic inequalities are strongly reflected in leisure activities, as more than half of lower-income Greeks did not go on vacation. Island Greece is becoming increasingly inaccessible for many households due to cost, with mainland Greece being preferred for travel by car. Even when Greeks do travel, they see overtourism as a problem that detracts from the experience.

What did the survey reveal?

People of Greece – Weekly snapshot 27/8-3/9

Week 27/8-3/9:

After the end of summer, Greeks:

report their impressions of the scourge of the Greek summer, the fires, and how they were handled by the state authorities;
await the government’s announcements at the Thessaloniki International Fair and seek the thematic priorities for the country’s governance; question the usefulness of policies that have been implemented for years without any tangible results; and are concerned about the future of the country
question the usefulness of political leadership,
set their personal goals for the start of the post-summer period.

What do we learn about Greece and the Greeks from this week’s findings?

Citizens appear disappointed with the government’s handling of critical issues, such as the summer fires, while low approval ratings for political leaders and former prime ministers indicate a deeper crisis of confidence in the political system as a whole.
Even the government’s announcements at the Thessaloniki International Fair, although they are generating interest, are perceived more as words than as actions that will have an immediate positive impact on everyday life.
In terms of priorities, society appears to have consistent concerns, with one significant new addition: the fight against corruption, which now ranks at the top of the agenda, behind accuracy and health. At the same time, different social groups highlight different needs: young people are mainly concerned with issues related to their future and prospects, such as housing and immigration, while older people focus more on taxation and corruption.
A clear differentiation can also be seen at the political level, with the right-wing audience placing emphasis on immigration, demographic and tax issues, while centrists and leftists prioritize, in addition to accuracy, the fight against corruption, as well as issues such as housing for the former, and labor and education for the latter. This reflects a society that may agree on a general sense of dissatisfaction, but differs sharply on the solutions it seeks.
In the economic sphere, inflation remains the biggest headache, with citizens expressing support for proposals such as reducing VAT on food and fairer taxation of middle incomes. However, there is no consensus on the housing landscape; public opinion appears divided, with social housing and tax incentives standing out as relatively more popular policies.
The usefulness ratings for all political leaders and the two former prime ministers are extremely low, with Kyriakos Mitsotakis leading despite a drop in his rating compared to July’s measurement. There has also been a slight increase in the usefulness of left-wing leaders, mainly Alexis Tsipras and Socrates Famellos, at the expense of the usefulness of Zoi Konstantopoulou.
The mood among citizens at the start of autumn is rather cautiously negative. Less than half say they are optimistic, while their personal priorities focus not so much on grand ambitions as on basic needs: healthcare and financial stability. This reveals a weary society seeking security, reliability, and tangible results in everyday life.

What did the survey reveal?

People of Greece – Weekly snapshot 20-23/06/2025

This week, the People of Greece research platform recorded the views of Greeks on the establishment of a pre-trial committee to investigate the responsibilities of former Transport Minister K. Karamanlis and the general political effects of the Tempi accident, the opinion of Greeks on the recent SYRIZA congress, the possibility and necessity of calling early elections, estimates on the percentage of minors living below the poverty line in Greece, estimates on the duration of the war between Israel and Iran and on the role of the European Union in resolving the crisis.

The findings showed that:

Society insists on demanding accountability for the Tempi accident, even if it does not believe that the preliminary investigation will get to the truth. It does not trust – but it does not give up.
At the same time, the SYRIZA congress passes almost indifferently, underlining the lack of alternative political representation. The idea of early elections is treated more as a scenario than a solution.
An interesting finding comes from the assessment of child poverty: citizens underestimate the actual figure. This is not only indicative of a lack of information, but also of how the social normality has shifted – poverty, even when present, has become invisible.
At the international level, the Iran-Israel engagement reinforces the sense of instability and skepticism about Europe’s influence.
A society not easily moved, not easily trusted, but still watching and judging.

See in detail the opinion of Greeks in the infographics below.

Vote for the Pre-Inquiry Committee

Almost three out of five Greeks, and two out of five voters of the ND party, believe that the work of the pre-investigation committee that will examine the possible responsibility of former Infrastructure Minister Karamanlis in the Tempi accident will not contribute to the investigation of the truth.
Two out of five Greeks say that voting for Maria Karystianou’s proposal to refer her to the pre-trial committee was rational because it expanded the number of potential participants in the indictment. However, almost half of the voters of the ND party state that the voting of this proposal was politically motivated in order to create political tension.
The impact of the developments surrounding the Tempi accident remains strongly negative for the government, but there is a tendency for the negative impact on PASOK and SYRIZA to diminish and a clear diminishing of the negative impact on Justice.

Developments in SYRIZA

Only four out of ten Greeks, and only a little more than half of SYRIZA voters, say they are sufficiently informed about what happened at the SYRIZA congress.
Three out of four Greeks say that the SYRIZA congress was evidence of the crisis in which the party finds itself from 2023 onwards and not an opportunity to regroup its forces, as the current party leadership tried to present it. The opinion of SYRIZA voters does not differ from that of the overall sample.

Possibility of early elections

One in three Greeks consider it fairly likely to certain that early elections will be called within the next 12 months. Although the percentage appears stable compared to the survey three months ago, the percentage of those who rule out such a possibility has decreased significantly compared to the March 2025 survey.
Greeks are divided on the necessity of calling early elections, with voters of opposition parties overwhelmingly stating that early elections are necessary.

Poverty, social exclusion and youth

Most Greeks underestimate the proportion of minors living below the poverty and social exclusion line, even though they correctly estimate that the rate is among the five highest in the European Union.
A significant proportion of ND voters (29%) claim that the rate for Greece is close to the average in European countries, not higher.

Developments in the Middle East

One in two Greeks believe that the military attacks between Israel and Iran will last for several months and will not end sooner.
Almost two out of three Greeks believe that the European Union cannot take on the role of mediator to end the war in the Middle East.