{{Short description|Political party in Greece}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2025}} {{Infobox political party | name = Volt Greece | logo = Volt Logo GR.png | native_name = Βόλτ Ελλάδας | colorcode = {{party color|Volt Europa}} | president = Electra Rome Dochtsi <br> Evangelos Liaras | leader1_title = Treasurer | leader1_name = Florents Bitri | foundation = 2018 | ideology = Social liberalism<br>Progressivism<br>Pro-Europeanism | headquarters = Athens | registered = {{start date and age|2022|10|4|df=y}} | country = Greece | abbreviation = Βολτ/Volt | colors = {{nowrap|{{color box|{{party color|Volt Europa}}|border=darkgray}} Purple}} | native_name_lang = el | position = Centre | national = Prasino+Mov (2022–2023) | european = | website = {{Official URL}} | affiliation1_title = European political alliance | affiliation1 = Volt Europa }}
'''Volt Greece''' ({{langx|el|Βόλτ Ελλάδας}}) is a social liberal political party in Greece and the Greek branch of Volt Europa.
== History == Volt Greece was founded in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-28 |title=Τι είναι το Βολτ που ευχαρίστησε ο Χάρης Δούκας μετά τη νίκη του;|url=https://www.tovima.gr/2023/10/28/politics/ti-einai-to-volt-pou-eyxaristise-o-xaris-doukas-meta-ti-niki-tou/ |access-date=2025-04-11 |website=To Vima |language=el}}</ref> In July 2022, the group elected its first executive secretariat, with Nikolas Fournarakis and Olga Dourou as co-chairs, and Electra Rome Dochtsi as General Secretary. An ethics committee was also established, chaired by Demetrios Velis. The two bodies were tasked with preparing its establishment as a party.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Photeinos |first=Dionysios |date=2022-07-29 |title=Εκλογές Βολτ Ελλάδας - Βολτ Ελλάδας / Volt Greece |url=https://www.voltgreece.gr/volt-elections/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221007184146/https://www.voltgreece.gr/volt-elections/ |archive-date=2022-10-07 |access-date=2023-03-16 |website=www.voltgreece.gr |language=el}}</ref> On 4 October 2022, the party was officially registered, becoming the 18th registered party of Volt Europa.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-10-03 |title=Βολτ: Ιδρύεται ως πολιτικό κόμμα |url=https://www.agrinionews.gr/volt-idryetai-os-politiko-komma/ |access-date=2023-03-16 |language=el}}</ref>
In December 2022, Volt co-founded the new political alliance Prasino & Mov (Greek: Πράσινο & Μωβ) together with other green parties.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=New party 'Prasino+Mov' aims to win seat in Parliament at elections |url=https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1200739/new-party-prasinomov-aims-to-win-seat-in-parliament-at-elections/ |access-date=2023-03-16 |website=www.Kathimerini |language=English}}</ref> thumb|National sections of Volt Europa. The borders of the European Union are shown in red On 11 and 12 March, the party held its first founding congress in Athens and elected Nikolas Fournarakis and Theodora Famprikezi as co-presidents, and Konstantinos Kalafatakis as the General Secretary.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=IEFIMERIDA.GR |first=NEWSROOM |date=2023-03-14 |title=Ιδρύθηκε το νέο κόμμα "Βολτ" -Ποιοι είναι επικεφαλής, πόσο μοιάζει με το "Ποτάμι" [εικόνες] |url=https://www.iefimerida.gr/politiki/idrythike-neo-komma-bolt-poioi-einai-epikefalis-poso-moiazei-me-potami |access-date=2023-03-16 |website=iefimerida.gr |language=el}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-16 |title=Το Βολτ Ελλάδας πραγματοποίησε το ιδρυτικό του συνέδριο |url=https://www.thebest.gr/article/705057-to-bolt-elladas-pragmatopoiise-to-idrutiko-tou-sunedrio |access-date=2023-04-17 |website=THE BEST |language=el}}</ref>
The party planned to contest the national parliamentary elections in May 2023 with the Prasino+Mov alliance<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-24 |title=Ποιος είναι ο Φώτης Καψάλης, υποψήφιος βουλευτής Τρικάλων του "Βολτ Ελλάδος" |url=https://www.trikalavoice.gr/%cf%80%ce%b1%cf%81%ce%b1%cf%80%ce%bf%ce%bb%ce%b9%cf%84%ce%b9%ce%ba%ce%ac/%cf%80%ce%bf%ce%b9%ce%bf%cf%82-%ce%b5%ce%af%ce%bd%ce%b1%ce%b9-%ce%bf-%cf%86%cf%8e%cf%84%ce%b7%cf%82-%ce%ba%ce%b1%cf%88%ce%ac%ce%bb%ce%b7%cf%82-%cf%85%cf%80%ce%bf%cf%88%ce%ae%cf%86%ce%b9%ce%bf%cf%82/ |access-date=2023-04-16 |website=TrikalaVoice |language=el}}</ref> but the alliance was disqualified from the election by the Supreme Court for lack of required documents.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Εκτός εκλογών ο συνδυασμός "Πράσινο & Μωβ" και το κόμμα Ευμορφίδη |url=https://www.protagon.gr/epikairotita/ektos-eklogwn-o-syndyasmos-prasino-kai-mwv-kai-to-komma-evmorfidi-44342715623 |access-date=2023-07-13 |website=Protagon.gr |language=el}}</ref> In the June 2023 parliamentary elections, the Prasino+Mov Alliance was admitted to the ballot and participated with 259 candidates in 59 constituencies (51 from Volt), marking Volt's first participation in an election in Greece.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2023-06-09 |title=Η Συμμαχία Πράσινο & Μωβ συμμετέχει στις Εθνικές Εκλογές με 259 υποψήφιους |url=https://www.agriniopress.gr/i-symmachia-prasino-amp-mov-symmetechei-stis-ethnikes-ekloges-me-259-ypopsifioys/ |access-date=2023-07-13 |website=www.agriniopress.gr/ |language=el}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-06-11 |title=Το "Βολτ" συμμετέχει με τη Συμμαχία "Πράσινο & Μωβ" στις εκλογές |url=https://www.agriniopress.gr/to-volt-symmetechei-me-ti-symmachia-prasino-amp-mov-stis-ekloges/ |access-date=2023-07-13 |website=www.agriniopress.gr/ |language=el}}</ref> The alliance achieved 0.31% of the vote.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-07-12 |title=National elections – June 2023 |url=https://ekloges.ypes.gr/current/v/home/en/parties/ |access-date=2023-07-13 |website=ekloges.ypes.gr |archive-date=7 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190707192852/https://ekloges.ypes.gr/current/v/home/en/parties/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> On July 12, 2023, the party announced its decision to leave the alliance.<ref>{{Cite web |title=VoltGreece/status/1679191380319404034 |url=https://twitter.com/VoltGreece/status/1679191380319404034 |access-date=2023-07-13 |website=Twitter |language=el}}</ref>
In the 2023 regional and local elections, the party officially supported lists in Athens,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-16 |title=Τι είναι το "Βολτ" που ευχαρίστησε ο Χάρης Δούκας μετά τη νίκη στον δήμο Αθηναίων |url=https://www.reader.gr/politiki/ti-einai-bolt-poy-eyharistise-o-haris-doykas-meta-ti-niki-ston-dimo-athinaion/534577 |access-date=2023-12-19 |website=Reader |language=el}}</ref> Pylaia-Chortiatis (with its own mayoral candidate),<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Κρήτης |first=Team Πολ |date=2023-10-04 |title=Το Βολτ συμμετέχει ενεργά στις Αυτοδιοικητικές Εκλογές |url=https://www.politikakritis.gr/to-volt-symmetechei-energa-stis-aytodioikitikes-ekloges/ |access-date=2023-12-19 |website=Politika Kritis |language=el}}</ref> Thessaloniki,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-12 |title=Η Αυγέρη στην Ένωση Συντακτών, ο Τριανταφυλλίδης εκτός ΣΥΡΙΖΑ ΠΣ και το Βολτ στη Θεσσαλονίκη |url=https://www.voria.gr/article/i-aygeri-stin-enosi-syntakton-o-triantafyllidis-ektos-syriza-ps-kai-bolt-sti-thessaloniki |access-date=2023-12-19 |website=voria.gr}}</ref> Patras,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-31 |title=Βολτ: Στηρίζει το 'σπιράλ' στην Πάτρα με υποψηφίους |url=https://www.thebest.gr/article/723103-bolt-stirizei-to-spiral-stin-patra-me-upopsifious |access-date=2023-12-19 |website=THE BEST |language=el}}</ref> Larissa<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hellen |date=2023-08-03 |title=Η Χρ. Ηλιάδη, από το Βολτ Ελλάδος και ο αντιπρόεδρος ΝΤ ΑΔΕΔΥ Κ. Λαρίσης, οι νέες υποψηφιότητες της "Συμπαράταξης" ⋆ TirnavosPress |url=https://tirnavospress.gr/chr-liadi-to-volt-ellados-o-antiproedros-nt/ |access-date=2023-12-19 |website=TirnavosPress |language=el}}</ref> and Central Macedonia.<ref name=":5" /> In total, Volt won 5 seats.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-13 |title=Το "Βολτ" παρουσιάστηκε στη Θεσσαλονίκη - Οι θέσεις του νέου πανευρωπαϊκού κόμματος |url=https://www.theopinion.gr/reportaz/to-volt-paroysiastike-sti-thessaloniki-oi-theseis-toy-neoy-paneyropaikoy-kommatos/ |access-date=2023-12-19 |website=The Opinion |language=el}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-05 |title=Βολτ: Η Ορκωμοσία των Εκλεγμένων Συμβούλων της παράταξης στον Δήμο Αθηναίων |url=https://amarysia.gr/autodioikisi-sp-1990240879/%ce%b2%ce%bf%ce%bb%cf%84-%ce%b7-%ce%bf%cf%81%ce%ba%cf%89%ce%bc%ce%bf%cf%83%ce%af%ce%b1-%cf%84%cf%89%ce%bd-%ce%b5%ce%ba%ce%bb%ce%b5%ce%b3%ce%bc%ce%ad%ce%bd%cf%89%ce%bd-%cf%83%cf%85%ce%bc%ce%b2%ce%bf |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=Εφημερίδα ΑΜΑΡΥΣΙΑ |language=el}}</ref> The party won one seat on the Athens Municipal Council and two more in the city's seventh district in the Athens Municipal Elections,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-06 |title=Francesca Romana D' Antuono: "Θέλουµε να αλλάξουµε την Ευρώπη" - Χανιώτικα Νέα |url=https://www.haniotika-nea.gr/francesca-romana-d-antuono-theloy-e-na-allaxoy-e-tin-eyropi/ |access-date=2023-12-19 |language=el}}</ref> as well as one seat in Pylaia-Chortiatis and one in Spata-Artemida. In December 2023, Volt local councillor Olga Dourou was elected deputy mayor of Athens, making her the second in Volt Europa after Federica Vinci in Isernia and the first in her party to hold such an office.<ref>{{cite web |date=2023-12-13 |title=Δήμος Αθηναίων: Οι αντιδήμαρχοι και σύμβουλοι του Χάρη Δούκα |url=https://www.kathimerini.gr/politics/562780492/dimos-athinaion-oi-antidimarchoi-kai-symvoyloi-toy-chari-doyka/ |website=Η Καθημερινή |publisher=Kathimerini |access-date=2023-12-19 |language=el}}</ref>
The party ran in the European elections 2024 with a joint list with Kosmos.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-21 |title=Partei von Wiener Ex-Vizebürgermeisterin tritt bei EU-Wahl an - aber nicht für Österreich |url=https://kurier.at/politik/ausland/ex-vizebuergermeisterin-wien-maria-vassilakou-gruene-eu-wahl-oesterreich-griechenland/402866627 |access-date=2024-04-25 |website=kurier.at |language=de}}</ref>
In November 2024, a General Assembly was conducted, where the vacant positions of the male co-president and General Secretary were filled by Evangelos Liaras and Electra Rome Dochtsi respectively.<ref>{{cite web |title=Volt Greece on X |url=https://x.com/VoltGreece/status/1859293908611539069 |website=X (formerly Twitter) |publisher=Volt Greece |access-date=2025-01-01 |language=el}}</ref>
During the months of March and April 2025, Volt Greece held its second Congress, in which the statute was reformed, Evangelos Liaras and Electra Rome Dochtsi were elected co-presidents, Florents Bitri was elected Treasurer, and the new bodies were elected.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://voltgreece.org/news/oloklirwthikan-i-ekloghes-neon-proedron-kai-tamia-tu-kommatos|title=Ολοκληρώθηκαν οι εκλογές νέων Προέδρων και Ταμία του Κόμματος|date=2025-04-10|accessdate=2025-04-27|website=voltgreece.org}}</ref>
== Policies == As part of the European network, Volt Greece follows a pan-European approach to many policy areas such as climate change, energy crises or the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ν.Φουρναράκης: Το Volt Ελλάδας θα ειναι με πλήρη ψηφοδέλτια στις εθνικές εκλογές |url=https://www.cretalive.gr/kriti/nfoyrnarakis-volt-elladas-tha-einai-me-pliri-psifodeltia-stis-ethnikes-ekloges |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=Cretalive |date=21 March 2023 |language=el}}</ref>
=== European reform === The party aims to create a European federation with geostrategic autonomy.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=gegonotaadmin |date=2023-03-17 |title=Βολτ: Δεν είμαστε το Ποτάμι ή κάποιο άλλο προϋπάρχον κόμμαή κάποιο άλλο προϋπάρχον κόμμα - Γεγονότα |url=https://gegonota.news/2023/03/17/volt-den-eimaste-to-potami-i-kapoio-allo-proyparchon-kommai-kapoio-allo-proyparchon-komma/,%20https://gegonota.news/2023/03/17/volt-den-eimaste-to-potami-i-kapoio-allo-proyparchon-kommai-kapoio-allo-proyparchon-komma/ |access-date=2023-04-18 |language=el}}</ref>
Volt wants to strengthen the European Parliament, a President elected by the European citizens and a unified European government led by a Prime Minister, with joint foreign, finance and economy ministries and a European army.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ιδρύθηκε το νέο κόμμα "Βολτ" – Ποιοι είναι επικεφαλής |date=14 March 2023 |url=https://newpost.gr/eidiseis/idrythike-to-neo-komma-volt-poioi-einai-epikefalis/ |access-date=2023-03-16 |language=el}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Παράρτημα ενός πανευρωπαϊκού κόμματος: τι είναι και τι θέλει το Βολτ Ελλάδας; {{!}} Κώστας Γιαννακίδης |url=https://www.protagon.gr/apopseis/parartima-enos-panevrwpaikou-kommatos-ti-einai-kai-ti-thelei-to-volt-elladas-44342685321 |access-date=2023-03-16 |website=Protagon.gr |language=el}}</ref>
=== Social and health policy === Volt wants unemployment benefits to be gradually reduced after someone finds a job. This is to increase the incentive to work and reduce unregistered work.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Βολτ: Μία προοδευτική, πραγματιστική και πανευρωπαϊκή πολιτική |url=https://www.athensvoice.gr/epikairotita/politiki-oikonomia/790331/volt-mia-proodeutiki-pragmatistiki-kai-paneuropaiki-politiki/ |access-date=2023-04-18 |website=AthensVoice |date=21 February 2023 |language=el}}</ref> A universal basic income is to be gradually introduced to reduce poverty and a decentralised universal health care system is to be created for all inhabitants of the country.<ref name=":0" />
Childcare centres are to be introduced throughout the country. Inequalities based on gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion and origin should be countered.<ref name=":2" />
=== Economy === The party wants to modernise the Greek economy and aims to create more high value-added jobs. The aim is to increase productivity and reduce the unemployment rate to below 5%.<ref name=":0" /> The role of the European Central Bank is to be expanded to include the fight against unemployment.<ref name="hania.news">{{Cite web |date=2023-03-14 |title="Βολτ" {{!}} Ιδρύθηκε νέο κόμμα με συμπρόεδρο τον Χανιώτη Νικόλα Φουρναράκη - HANIA.news |url=https://hania.news/2023/03/14/%ce%b2%ce%bf%ce%bb%cf%84-%ce%b9%ce%b4%cf%81%cf%8d%ce%b8%ce%b7%ce%ba%ce%b5-%ce%bd%ce%ad%ce%bf-%ce%ba%cf%8c%ce%bc%ce%bc%ce%b1-%ce%bc%ce%b5-%cf%83%cf%85%ce%bc%cf%80%cf%81%cf%8c%ce%b5%ce%b4/ |access-date=2023-03-16 |language=el}}</ref>
=== Education === Volt aims to strengthen the autonomy of school institutions administratively, financially, pedagogically and academically.<ref name=":0" />
The administrative structure of the Ministry of Education is to be decentralised and its central and regional departments subjected to performance evaluation.<ref name=":0" />
=== Digitalisation === The party supports the use of open source software as an instrument of a transparent state and wants to digitise the state system and administration.<ref name=":2" />
The fundamental right of (digital) privacy of correspondence should be strengthened.<ref name=":2" />
=== Environmental and climate protection === Volt aims to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions in order to reduce the impact of climate change. Imported products are to be subject to a carbon tax in order to also achieve emission reductions in other regions of the world. Massive investments are to be made in public transport in order to achieve emission reductions in the transport sector.<ref name=":4">{{cite web |title=Βολτ: Αυτό είναι το νέο κόμμα – Αρκετά στελέχη του προέρχονται από το Ποτάμι |url=https://www.ieidiseis.gr/politiki/189154/volt-afto-einai-to-neo-komma-arketa-stelexi-tou-proerxontai-apo-to-potami |website=www.ieidiseis.gr |publisher=Ieidiseis |date=14 March 2023 |access-date=16 March 2023 |language=el}}</ref> In addition, the energy sector is to be transformed through investments in renewable energy sources and storage.<ref name=":4" /> To this end, the party is striving for green growth in connection with the energy transition, the protection of biodiversity and sustainable environmental management.<ref>{{cite web |title=Βολτ: Αυτό είναι το νέο κόμμα – Αρκετά στελέχη του προέρχονται από το Ποτάμι |url=https://www.ieidiseis.gr/politiki/189154/volt-afto-einai-to-neo-komma-arketa-stelexi-tou-proerxontai-apo-to-potami |website=www.ieidiseis.gr |publisher=Ieidiseis |date=14 March 2023 |access-date=11 May 2023 |language=el}}</ref>
=== Immigration and asylum policy === The party advocates a controlled admission of migrants and refugees and their integration, as a means of countering the demographic problem of Greece.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Group) |first=Radiotileoptiki S. A. (OPEN Digital |date=2023-03-14 |title=Εκλογές 2023 - «Βολτ»: Τι είναι το νεοϊδρυθέν φιλελεύθερο κόμμα – Οι επικεφαλής και οι ομοιότητες με το «Ποτάμι» |url=https://www.ethnos.gr/politikoparaskhnio/article/251114/ekloges2023bolttieinaitoneoidrythenfileleytherokommaoiepikefalhskaioiomoiothtesmetopotami |access-date=2023-03-16 |website=ΕΘΝΟΣ |language=el}}</ref><ref name=":0" />
== Organisation == === Leadership === The co-presidents and the Treasurer are directly elected by the party members during a General Assembly. The statute requires different gender identities for the chairpersons.<ref name=":1" />
=== Executive Board === There is a six-member executive board, called the "Political Council" (the co-presidents and the Treasurer fully participate in this body ex officio, thus increasing the number of members to 9), which is responsible for implementation and administration in accordance with the decisions of the party's General Assembly and Council of the Members.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="hania.news"/>
=== Council of the Members === The Council of the Members is a non-directly-elected body, whose members consist of party officials elected onto public office, and the co-ordinators of both regional groups and task groups.
=== Ethics Board === The five-member Ethics Board monitors compliance with the Statue, Rules of Procedure, the Code of Conduct, the decisions of the General Assemblies, the Council of the Members, the executive board and the Leadership of the party. It also serves as a conflict resolution body and facilitates proper in-party human resources management. The members of the Ethics Board are directly elected by the party members during a General Assembly.
=== Finances === The party is financed by membership fees but also donations.<ref name=":1" />
=== Relationship with other organisations === Volt Greece is a member organisation of the Volt Europa movement and was a co-founder and a member of the Greek alliance Prasino+Mov.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-28 |title=Φώτης Καψάλης: Ο 31χρονος Οιχαλιώτης που διεκδικεί επάξια μια θέση στο Κοινοβούλιο με το Βολτ Ελλάδας - |url=https://www.trikalafocus.gr/trikala/φώτης-καψάλης-ο-31χρονος-οιχαλιώτης-που/ |access-date=2023-05-11 |language=el}}</ref><ref name=":3" />
== Election results == === Hellenic Parliament === {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; line-height:16px;" |- ! rowspan="2" style="width:75px;"| Election ! colspan="5" | Hellenic Parliament ! rowspan="2" style="width:30px;"| Rank ! rowspan="2"| Government ! rowspan="2"| Leader |- ! style="width:75px;"| Votes ! style="width:45px;"| % ! style="width:45px;"| ±pp ! style="width:100px;"| Seats won ! style="width:45px;"| +/− |- ! Jun 2023{{efn|Run as part of the Prasino+Mov coalition.}} | 15,911 | 0.31% | New | {{Infobox political party/seats|0|300|hex={{party color|Volt Europa}}}} | New | 15th | {{no|Extra-parliamentary}} | Nikolas Fournarakis<br/>Theodora Famprikezi |}
=== European Parliament === {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; line-height:16px;" |- ! rowspan="2" style="width:75px;"| Election ! colspan="5" | European Parliament ! rowspan="2" style="width:30px;"| Rank ! rowspan="2"| Leader |- ! style="width:75px;"| Votes ! style="width:45px;"| % ! style="width:45px;"| ±pp ! style="width:100px;"| Seats won ! style="width:45px;"| +/− |- ! June 2024{{efn|Run via a common ballot with Kosmos.}} | 42,762 <ref>{{cite web |title=Election Results |url=https://ekloges.ypes.gr/current/e/home/index.html |website=Hellenic Ministry of the Interior |access-date=June 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240609221238/https://ekloges.ypes.gr/current/e/home/index.html |archive-date=June 9, 2024}}</ref> | 1.08% | New | {{Infobox political party/seats|0|21|hex={{party color|Volt Europa}}}} | New | 13th | Nikolas Fournarakis<br/>Stella Psarropoulou |}
== Notes == {{Notelist}}
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * {{Official website}} {{In lang|el}}
{{Portal bar|Politics|Greece}}
{{Volt Europa}} {{Greek political parties}}
Greece Category:Social liberal parties Category:Pro-European political parties in Greece Category:Secular parties in Greece Category:2022 establishments in Greece Category:Political parties established in 2022