United Democratic Left

The United Democratic Left (Greek Ενιαία Δημοκρατική Αριστερά, abbreviated ΕΔΑ - EDA) was founded in 1953 as the only legal left-wing political party of its era.

Originally, it was a coalition of left-wing parties that were not outlawed in the aftermath of the Greek Civil War. Its core were communists who had belonged to the Greek Communist Party (KKE).

The greatest success of EDA came in 1958 when they drew 24.4% of the vote and formed the main opposition to Karamanlis' ERE.

The party was headed by Elias Iliou and Ioannis Pasalidis. Among others it elected Mikis Theodorakis and Grigoris Lambrakis to the Greek Parliament.

After 1974, the Greek Communist Party was legalised and EDA ceased to exist as a force in Greek politics.