What Greeks believe about 2025, democracy, security and Europe

As the world crosses a threshold with Trump’s election, Greeks feel deep economic insecurity, mistrust of their democracy and the media, and very much alone opposite a resurgent Turkey

The arrival of French Rafale aircraft in January 2022 at Tanagra marked a major step in Greece’s rearmament (Photo John T Psaropoulos)

Greek pollsters published a slew of surveys towards the end of 2024, offering a snapshot of national convictions and mood. It’s a good moment to take stock. Donald Trump’s election signals that the post-Cold War world we knew is over. Europe will stand increasingly alone in a regionalised world. Its ties to America in trade, technology, security and values may be in jeopardy. The US, like Russia and China, will jealously seek to strengthen its position as regional hegemon, as Trump’s unsubtle overtures towards Greenland and Panama reveal. Europe’s neighbours in the Middle East – Turkey, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Israel – are also seeking to consolidate their power in the emerging world order.