THE GREEK POLITICAL CRISIS

Created: 10/11/1963

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SPECIAL ARTICLE

OFFICE OF CURRENT INTELLIGENCE

THE GREEK POLITICAL CRISIS

APPROVED rOH HELEASE DATE: 2

CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY

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THE GREEK POLITICAL CRISIS

The political crisis which erupted in Greece ln early June had its roots ln tbe conduct andof the general election For two years, the oppositionarrage of accusations that Premier Constantino Karamanlls' moderate National Radical Union (ERE) achieved its solid majority only through fraud, intimidation,lanted electoral law. Deterioration of Karamanlls* with tho palace provided the spark thathis resignation. Opposition pressure also forced out the caretaker government which succeeded Karamanlls. Appointmentecond caretakerin late September apparently bos easedfor the period before tbe general elections scheduledovember. The disorganization of the largest non-Communist opposition party could pave the way for impressive gains by the Communist-dominated United Democratic Left (EDA). However, ERE strength is relatively unimpaired.

loctlons

The ERE victory in1 was Karamanlls' third triumph since King Paul had named him as prima minister six years earlier. ERE won overercent of the popular vote anduteats In tbe unicameralfirst time in pomtwar Greek politicsingle party hadajority. Tbe party and its leader had produced an unusually long period ofstability, and steady economic progress. BRS'smoderate policies were especially popular ln normally conservative rural areas, and Karamanlls' personal dominance of his party and his popular backing had steadily grown.

The opposition was left ln disarray. The Communist-front

EDA, which had provided the major parliamentary opposition, saw Its popular vote drop from tbeercent received three years earlier to less thanercent. Its parliamentary representation fell from The party leadership,by tho defeat, remained largely ineffective until this summer.

Moving into BDA's role as principal opposition party was the Center Unionhich had been created on tbe eve of tbe electionsnification of several parties ranging from the non-Communist left to the moderate right. While EX sleeted overeputies, its leaders were not content toonventional opposition campaign In parliament.

The EK leader, George Papandreou, instead launched

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what ho called an "unremitting struggle" to force new elections Ho charged thatad been characterized by police Intimidation,of tbe army vote, and outright fraud in theof ballots. Later court investigation uncovered some evidence to support these charges, but not enough tothat ERE'9 control of parliament depended upon In fact, policeappears to have been directed almost exclusively at EDA, rather than at tbeBK .

Papandreou demanded, aboveew electoral lawfor simple proportional representation, rather than the weighted proportional system thatonus to the largest party, ERE, The Center Union pursued its campaign wltb such intensity that, despite Karamanlis* solid majority,turmoil prevailed.

Simultaneously, on the far left the BDA agitated for an amnesty forjailed for criminal acts committed during and following World War II and the Communist insurrection. The violent death in late Mayrominent EDA deputy, Gregory Lambraxos, during ain Thessaloniki gaveiatpetus to this campaign.

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agitation foundabroad. Id Britain,such asgainst Tyranny demonstrated foreturn to democracy" in Athens and the release of tbs "political. " emonstration marred Queen Prederlka's private visit to London early thlm year.

The Palace Problem

Karamanlls* relations with the royal family, meanwhile, were deteriorating. The premier alleged tbat tbs palace waain politics. Be was Irritated by frequent requests for large funds wblcb bishad to justify to Tbe royal family, for itsQueen Prederlka and Crown Princestrongly resented tbs steady increase in Karamanlls* power andand regarded his aain defending tbe palace agalnat public criticism.

Tbe Klng'a refusal toXaramanlis' advice toplansoyal visit to England in July probably was the overriding factor in the premier's decision to quit when he did. He maintained tbat demonstrators in London could endanger the royal couple, and tba need for tba tightestprecautions when tbe trip did take place appeared tohis fears. By resign-lng over an issue which involved tbe national bonor, Karamanllstrong bid to revive public support for himself and

hia party. He then flew off to Switzerland and did notuntileptember when tha electoral campaign badunder way.

Election Preparations

For some threearetaker government under Panaylotls Plplnells, sinister of commerce under Karamanlls, endeavored to prepare for new elections tbat could restore political stability. Tba Cantar Union charged that Plplnells was partisan, however, and threatened to boycott tbeif thay were held by hia government. Faced with tbe likely polarlzatiOD of Creek politico between ERE and the Communists, tbe King accepted Plplnells' resignation oneptember. The president of tba Supreme Court, Stylianos Mavromlchalls, agreed toovernment of nonpolltlcal figures, and tba Center Union agreed to participate in the alections.

Despite th* buffeting lt has suffered in recent months, the ERE and Karamanlls appear in reasonably good condition for tba campaign. Karamanlls remains tha dominant political figure in Greece, and has re-calved principal credit for th* country's continued *coooalc gain*. Tho ERE proved cohesive In tba disturbed weeksthe premier'* resignation in June, although several major party figures were unhappy at Karamanlls' often arbitrary, oven humiliating treatment of

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On the other end of the political spectrum, Spyros Markezinis seeks some form of collaboration with one of tbe larger parties to ensure that his small right-wing Progressive Party will not disappear from parliament. While he would prefer to cooperate withand his ERE, Markezinis' prica--probably an important cabinotbe too high. He and Papandreou bavo been in frequent contact and anagreement for cooperation between these two partiespossible. EDA spokesmen, too, bave approached Markezinis in their effort to form afront, but apparentlysuccess.

Outlook

The spectreovernment dependent on EDA supportto receive attention from at least one right-winggroup within tho army. While apparentlyat this time,an early return to power by Karamanlls, this group reportedly is maintaining Its organization in readiness to take action sbould Greece be plaguedew period ofinstability'which could benefit the Communists.

Should Karamanlls beto powerajor victory despite bis quarrel with tbe palace and over the combined efforts of the opposition, he may beindictive mood. Any attempts to restrict tbe royal family's prerogatives might leadore serious constitutional crisis tban that which caused his resignation In June.

Tbe agreement of allparties to participate lo the elections, however, and the steps taken so far to assuresuggest tbat theatmosphere may be cleared in tho months ahead.

hie subordinates, nodefections froa tbe party have occurred.

Since June, moreover. King Paul appears to have becoaetbat his faatly's best interests would be servedeturn to power by the ERE loader, ln view of theof antiroyallst sentiments ln tbe main opposition parties. The attitude of the Queen and tbe Crown Prince are less clear.

Other factors seen to aitigate these ERE strengths. Greece continues to face many economic problemsln particular widespread unemployment and underemployment. Eight years of ERE power have broughtumber of charges ofln high places, and there say be some growth of thethat it is "timehange" Tbe provisions of the new electoral law adopted in response to BE demands will probably make lt more difficult than In the past for ERE toorking parliamentary majority.

The Opposition Parties

Within tbe Center Union, Papandreouontinuing threat to his leadership froa Sophocles Venlzelos, long-time political figure whohimself and his followers to Papandreou's leadership About half of tbe BK parliamentary doputies areto be loyal to Venlzelos. The latter has repeatedlypublicly with Papandreou's course of act Iont recently whon he informed the press that

other concessions in addition to replacement of Plpinells should be extracted if the BK

wore to agree to participate in

elections.

In aid-July, Papandreou called for VeolEOlos' expulsion from the EK. Formal action to remove Venlzelos has not taken place, however, because ofefforts by others ln tbe party leadership to paper over the split between tbe twoat least until elections are over.

Papandreou, meanwhile, bas been under pressure from EDA toopular front for the forthcoming elections. Left-wing leaders reportedly have proposod an agreement ln which EDA would run candidates only ln districts where theare known to be strong while in all other districts the party followers would be ordered to support EK Papandroou thus far has repudiated any overt collobora-tlon with EDA.

With oropular front, EDA appears likely to Increase its vote over thatln tbe last election. Reportsossibility that EDA running alone may win aboutercent of tbe popular vote. Harassment of EDA by the security forces has been severely reduced in the last fewbecause of tbe "Lambrakis affair" and its aftermath, which included the recent arrest of four senior police officers charged with complicity in the murder.

Original document.

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