From 1833 right through to 1912, when the government of Eleutherios Venizelos came to power and a law was passed on the establishment of municipalities and communities (Official Gazette 58/1912), the municipal mayors acquired substantial political influence in their areas, becoming genuine local leaders.
Εντούτοις, τα κόμματα αυτά συνέχισαν να έχουν έναν ιδιότυπο/πελατειακό χαρακτήρα μέχρι και τη στρατιωτική δικτατορία του 1967-74 (αυτόθι).