Greece ranks among lowest in EU in Global Democracy Index, V-Dem report finds
Greece has ranked near the bottom among European Union member states in the latest Global Democracy Index, according to the 2026 report published by the Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem) Project at the University of Gothenburg.
The report shows that Greece dropped three places to 52nd out of 179 countries worldwide, placing it 24th among EU members—one of the lowest rankings in the bloc.
Institutional Weaknesses Highlighted
The study points to ongoing shortcomings in parliamentary and judicial oversight, as well as structural limitations in holding the executive branch accountable. While Greece performs relatively better in electoral processes—ranking 43rd globally in that category—the report emphasizes that institutional instability remains a key concern.
According to the findings, these weaknesses undermine the overall resilience of democracy in Greece and raise questions about the effectiveness of safeguards designed to prevent excessive concentration of power.
Concerns Over Rule of Law and Liberal Standards
In the liberal democracy dimension—which includes rule of law, protection of individual rights, and institutional accountability—Greece ranks 75th globally. The report concludes that structural deficiencies in mechanisms limiting executive authority prevent the country from fully meeting liberal democracy standards.
The V-Dem dataset, one of the most comprehensive global democracy assessments, analyzes over 600 indicators across 202 countries and territories, with contributions from more than 4,200 academics and experts.
Criticism from Minority Representation
Reacting to the report, Halit Habip Oğlu, President of the Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe, said the findings highlight a widening gap between official rhetoric and realities on the ground.
“The report clearly shows that Greece cannot be described as a liberal democracy,” he stated. “Despite claims of being the cradle of democracy, the country is facing a deep democratic crisis.”
Habip Oğlu also pointed to declining public trust in key institutions such as the judiciary, parliament, and government, citing repeated legal controversies and systemic violations of the rule of law.
He further referenced rulings by the European Court of Human Rights concerning Turkish minority associations in Western Thrace, noting that Greece has failed to implement these decisions for nearly two decades.
Broader European Context
The report echoes concerns previously raised by EU institutions, including the European Commission and the European Parliament, which have also warned of democratic backsliding and rule-of-law challenges in Greece.
The findings are likely to intensify ongoing debates over governance, institutional transparency, and democratic standards within the country.
