Centre Union (Theodorous and the Parathalassias)
Centre Union Énosis Kéntrou | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Leader | Sophia Alexandrides |
| Founded | 1996 |
| Split from | Optimates Populares |
| Ideology | Liberalism Venizelism Pro-Europeanism |
| Political position | Centre |
| National affiliation | Centre Union-Optimates |
| European affiliation | ALDE Party |
| European Parliament group | Renew Europe |
| Colours | Orange |
| Slogan | Ke akartéri fileléftheri laliá "Awaiting freedom-loving speech" |
| Senate | 7 / 30
|
| Local Government | 8 / 44
|
| European Parliament (Theodoran seats) | 1 / 6
|
| Website | |
| tokentro | |
The Centre Union (Greek: Énosis Kéntrou), often referred to simply as The Centre (Greek: To Kéntro) is a centrist and Venizelist political party in Theodorous and the Parathalassias, inspired by the 20th-century Greek party of the same name.
History
Formed in 1996 by defectors from both the Optimates and Populares, then the Principality's major parties, the Centre Union was initially a minor force, winning only a single seat in its first two elections. However, the 2003 Spoils of War Scandal — a major embezzlement scandal in which both the Optimates and Populares were implicated — led to a collapse in support for those parties, with many of their former voters defecting to the Centre Union. In the subsequent 2004 election, the Centre Union came in second, winning 11 seats, and managed to form a minority government led by Anna Alexopoulou. Alexopolou then led the party to win absolute majorities in both the 2007 and 2010 elections. By the 2013 election, however, the Centre Union had grown increasing unpopular due to its compliance with European Union austerity policies, leading the party to lose its majority to anti-austerity parties. It has remained as the referendary opposition ever since, most recently to a Theodoran Spring-led minority government.
Ideology
The Centre Union is a centrist and liberal party, adhering to Venizelist national liberalism. It is strongly pro-European.