The Greek Ecologists (), previously the Union of Ecologists (), was a Greek "fringe" and "bizarre ecological party".Nicholas Paphitis, "Press Watch" , Athens News, 13 November 1997.
The party's president was Dimosthenis Vergis, a former auto-worker, trade unionist, journalist, and peace activist. Vergis has been described as a "self-styled ecologist""In brief" , Athens News, 9 September 1997. and "a self-styled, modern-day Dionysus – God of wine, revelry and fertility".As described by the blurb for ABC Television's broadcast of Dominique Schwartz "Foreign Correspondent" programme, Episode 12, Series 10, 19 September 2000.
Vergis usually deploys naked female party workers in his campaigns and has posed nude for campaign posters and pamphlets, flirting "with any female journalist that comes within groping distance".As described and depicted by ABC Television's Dominique Schwartz on the Foreign Correspondent" programme, Episode 12, Series 10, broadcast on 19 September 2000. He supports the legalisation of cannabisAs described by the blurb for ABC Television's broadcast of Dominique Schwartz "Foreign Correspondent" programme, Episode 12, Series 10, 19 September 2000. and unrestricted nudism.
The Greek Ecologists and its leader are not accepted as a Green party by the Ecologist Greens, which enjoys international recognition as Greece's green party. The Ecologist Greens have condemned Vergis, stating: "The public can be assured that the political culture of Ecologist Greens and the Green movement, in general, has nothing to do with behaviour that makes a mockery or which, through strange – at least – and disastrous interests (such as abuses, money laundering), has damaged the interest in the environment and the political perspectives of ecology in Greece."Ecologist Greens, "Election FAQ" , July 2007.
History In 1997, an Athens prosecutor issued a warrant for Vergis' arrest after his party published a poster in which he appeared nude with a smaller picture of International Association of Athletics Federations president Primo Nebiolo inset near Vergis' genitals.
In August 1998, lawyers representing the Archbishop of Athens successfully went to court to prevent the party using a poster in the municipal elections showing Vergis shaking hands with the archbishop."Εξώδικο του Αρχιεπισκόπου κατά του Δ. Βεργή", Ta Nea, 28 August 1998.
During the 2000 general election, in which he openly campaigned with semi-nude models, Vergis was described as a "joker" by deputy labour minister Christos Protopappas."Political rallies in Athens this week" , Athens News, 4 April 2000.
The party was prohibited from participating in the 2004 general election on the order of the Greek supreme court."Δύο ενστάσεις για τις εκλογές", Ta Nea, 12 March 2004. Subsequently it was renamed to Greek Ecologists.
For the 2009 European election, the famous trash TV singer Nikos Katelis (well known as Katman) became a candidate for this party. His speech in Kolonaki square was shown live on Alter Channel. He lost the elections.
In the May 2023 election, the party received only one vote.
In the June 2023 election, the party received no votes."Εκλογές 2023: Μηδέν ψήφους πήραν οι «Έλληνες Οικολόγοι»", CNN Greece, 25 June 2023.
Electoral results
Results since 1993(year links to election page)YearType of ElectionVotes%MandatesNotes 1993 Parliament 5,378 0.08 – as Union of Ecologists 1994 European Parliament – – – as Union of Ecologists 1996 Parliament 19,934 0.29 – as Union of Ecologists 1999 European Parliament 30,684 0.48 – as Union of Ecologists 2000 Parliament 20,466 0.30 – as Union of Ecologists 2004 Parliament – – – – 2004 European Parliament 32,956 0.54 – as Greek Ecologists 2007 Parliament 1,740 0.02 – as Greek Ecologists 2009 European Parliament 31,188 0.61 – as Greek Ecologists 2009 Parliament 20,019 0.29 – as Greek Ecologists May 2012 Parliament 66 0.00 – as Greek Ecologists June 2012 Parliament – – – as Greek Ecologists 2014 European Parliament 5,608 0.10 – as Greek Ecologists 2019 European Parliament 11,511 0.20 – as Greek Ecologists 2019 Parliament 0 0.00 – as Greek Ecologists May 2023 Parliament 1 0.00 – as Greek Ecologists June 2023 Parliament 0 0.00 – as Greek Ecologists
References
External links Archive of Party website