Karamanlis New Democracy (Greece): Metapolitefsi stabilisation and EEC accession

Doctrine — stated goals and content

Christian-democratic-conservative stabilisation of the Greek post-junta democracy combined with EEC-accession-driven economic-institutional modernisation. Economic school: conservative-centre-right ND emerged from Karamanlis's ERE tradition (1956-1963 premierships) — closer to Christian-democratic European mainstream than to Anglo-American supply- side; dirigiste elements in industrial policy retained. Left-right axis: centre-right, with strong European-orientation commitments; economically more moderate than PASOK-critique would later suggest. Content: (i) 1974 legalisation of KKE (Communist Party) and political liberalisation; (ii) 1975 Constitution (11 June 1975) — parliamentary republic with strong presidency; (iii) 1974 referendum abolished monarchy (69.2% republic); (iv) EEC accession negotiations opened 1975, Treaty of Accession signed 28 May 1979, entry 1 January 1981; (v) 1975-1976 banking and securities reforms — Hellenic Capital Market Committee foundation preparation; (vi) 1975 Article 106 constitutional framework legitimising state-enterprise expansion alongside private property; (vii) Olympic Airways, DEH (electricity), OTE (telecoms) state monopolies consolidated; (viii) NATO re-entry (Greece had withdrawn military command after 1974 Cyprus crisis) — full reintegration 1980; (ix) 1975 labour-law framework; (x) Karamanlis elevated to presidency 1980 (indirect election) allowing Rallis transition. Popularity: 17 November 1974 election ND 54.4% (220 of 300 seats) — landslide; 20 November 1977 election ND 41.8% (171 of 300 seats) — retained majority with 'Centre Union' and PASOK rising as main alternative. Coherence: programme was coherent — democratic consolidation + EEC anchoring + modernisation of banking and trade institutions — and institutionally durable (1975 Constitution still in force with amendments); the movement completed Metapolitefsi and handed the baton to Rallis's 1980-81 caretaker, then PASOK.