From ‘black sheep of the eurozone’ to ‘European shield’

Abstract

The 2010s were undoubtedly the most turbulent decade since Greece’s transition to democracy in 1974. Owing to its domestic weaknesses and international challenges, Greece has been facing a series of crises which have severely challenged its politics, society and the economy and, at times, stretched the polity to its limits. The chapter reviews the major crises that beset Greece and still do: the financial crisis; the refugee crisis; the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic; and the Greek-Turkish escalation of hostilities by discussing similarities and differences in their characteristics. It outlines the transformation of the dominant sociopolitical divisions that have driven electoral competition, as well as changes in the party system and trends in public opinion. By developing the argument that crisis management has become the new normality, the chapter concludes with an assessment of the resilience of the state machinery and political institutions.