| Greek Legislative Election, 1920 |
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The legislative elections of 1920 were, probably, the most crucial elections in modern history of Greece . Their results influenced the catastrophic events of the following years, including the defeat from Kemal Ataturk 's turkish army. After almost 6 years, during which all democratic procedures were suspended, Venizelos announced that the legislative elections will take place the 25th of October, 1920. However, after the unexpected death of King Alexander I , who had substituted the exiled King Constantine I , the elections were postponed for the November 1st. Venizelos regarded his victory as certain, because of his diplomatic and military successes against Turkey . Nevertheless, the final electoral results constituted a disaster for Venizelos , because not only the so-called United Opposition achieved an absolute majority of seats in Parliament, but Venizelos himshelf was not elected. Humilated and disappointed by the outcome of the results Venizelos left the country and abandonned the Liberal Party without a strong leadership. The reasons of the unexpected defeat are the following: 1) The electoral system: The Liberal Party took almost 7.000 more votes (50, 23%, 375.803 votes) than the Opposition, but it received just 118 seats, while the Opposition received 251 seats! 2) The fact that the right-wing opposition managed to emerge united under a highly estimated leader, Dimitrios Gounaris . 3) The fact that the Opposition managed to turn the elections into a referendum for or against the exiled King Constantine I . 4) The greek people were tired after almost a decade of wars and divisions. The Opposition promised peace and the people trusted it. |
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