Studies in Political Economy 82 AUTUMN 2008 171 2007 GREEK ELECTIONS : SIGNS OF MAJOR POLITICAL REALIGNMENT , CHALLENGES AND HOPES FOR THE LEFT Michalis Spourdalakis In the 1990s, 13 out of the then 15 EU states were run by social democ- ratic governments. Anthony Giddens’ “third way” pompously influenced, if not hegemonized, the orientation and practices of both the Left and the Centre-Left political forces. Leaders the likes of L. Zospen, G. Schroeder, Tony Blair, and Bill Clinton were mobilized to draft plans for “progressive governance.” Today, most EU countries are dominated by aggressive Right- wing governments, a trend continued with the mayoral elections of the former fascist Gianni Alemanno in Rome and the eccentric conservative Boris Johnson in London. Without great risk, one could argue that the practices of the reformist, governmental Left in office have contributed decisively to the triumphant comeback of Right-wing political forces in Europe. Although this trend presents a rather bleak future for the Left, it would be a mistake to think that it is a fixed situation without contradic- tions, antinomies, and many possibilities for the revamping of the Left. The 2007 elections in Greece were no exception to the gloomy pattern of Right-wing dominance in Europe. New Democracy (ND) managed its second consecutive victory (41.3% and 152 seats in a 300-seat parliament) while the Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK), despite its revitalizing initiatives, performed even worse (38.1% and 102 seats). Moreover, the radical Right populist party of the Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) managed a noteworthy 3.8% and achieved parliamentary representation. But the antinomies and possibilities were also evident. The Left, both in its tradi- tional orthodox version, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), and in its