Popular Orthodox Rally
Λαϊκός Ορθόδοξος Συναγερμός |
|
---|---|
President | Georgios Karatzaferis |
Founded | 14 September 2000 |
Split from | New Democracy |
Headquarters | 52, Kallirois Avenue, 117 45 Athens |
Youth wing | Youth of the Orthodox Rally |
Ideology |
Greek nationalism Right-wing populism Religious conservatism Euroscepticism Economic liberalism |
Political position | Right-wing to Far-right |
European affiliation | None |
European Parliament group | No MEPs |
Colours | Dark Blue |
Parliament |
0 / 300
|
European Parliament |
0 / 21
|
Regions |
43 / 725
|
Website | |
www.laos.gr | |
The Popular Orthodox Rally or "People's Orthodox Alarm" (Greek: Λαϊκός Ορθόδοξος Συναγερμός, Laikós Orthódoxos Synagermós), often abbreviated to ΛΑ.Ο.Σ (LAOS) as a pun on the Greek word for people, is a Greek radical right-wing populist political party. It was founded and is led by journalist Georgios Karatzaferis. Karatzaferis formed LAOS in 2000, a few months after he was expelled from the centre-right New Democracy.
In 2004, LAOS secured support from the Party of Hellenism and the Hellenic Women's Political Party. In 2005, LAOS absorbed the nationalistHellenic Front. The youth branch of LAOS is the Youth of the Orthodox Rally (NEOS) (which is also a pun on the word for "youth" in Greek). The Popular Orthodox Rally was a member of the Europe of Freedom and Democracy (EFD) group in the European Parliament during the 7th European Parliament, and was a member of the Alliance of Independent Democrats in Europe Europarty until the AIDE's dissolution in 2008.
The party failed to reach the 3% threshold of the popular vote in the 2004 elections, with 2.2%; three months later it gained 4.12% of the vote and one seat in the 2004 European Parliamentary Elections. LAOS received 3.8% of the vote in the 2007 elections, electing 10 members of parliament. In 2009 LAOS managed to elect two representatives in the European Parliament, receiving 7.14% of the vote. After receiving 5.63% of the vote and electing 15 members of parliament in the 2009 elections, LAOS dropped below the 3% threshold in 2012 and failed to secure any seats in parliament.