Greece is a presidential parliamentary republic. The prime minister and cabinet play the central role in the political process, while the president performs some executive and legislative functions in addition to ceremonial duties.
National legislature
Unicameral Vouli (parliament) of 300 members, which is directly elected by a form of proportional representation for a four-year term, although early dissolution is possible.
Electoral system
Universal direct suffrage over the age of 18. Voting in Greece is compulsory but is not enforced.
Head of State
President, without executive power, elected by parliament for a five-year term. Karolos Papoulias, a former minister of foreign affairs under a Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) government, was elected on March 12th 2005.
National government
Council of Ministers responsible to the legislature, headed by a prime minister appointed by the president. The government must have the support of parliament to hold office. A Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) government was elected on Oktober 4th 2009, with George Papandreou as prime minister.
Main political parties
Five political parties are currently represented in parliament: the governing party, the Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK), the main opposition party, the conservative New Democracy (ND), the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), the Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS), and the Coalition of Left and Progressive Forces (Synaspismos).
Greece joined the European Community, now the European Union (EU), in 1981 and became a member of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) at the start of 2001.
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