George II, having been exiled during the political turmoil of 1920, made his return to the Greek throne as a result of a controversial plebiscite held on November 3, 1935. Support for the monarchy had fluctuated in Greece, especially after the establishment of the Second Hellenic Republic in 1924. The political landscape in Greece was marked by instability and a series of governments that shifted between republican and monarchist ideals. The plebiscite permitted the citizens to vote for the restoration of King George II or to continue the republican regime. Advocates for the monarchy mobilized public sentiment, citing traditional values and stability in contrast to the previous years of republican governance. However, numerous reports stated that the plebiscite was possibly fixed, raising questions about its legitimacy and the manner in which votes were counted. Turmoil surrounding the vote included the presence of military and nationalist groups, indicating a deeply divided national mood.

The plebiscite led to George II officially reclaiming the throne, and he returned to Greece in December of the same year. His reign, however, was marred by accusations of authoritarian governance, as the king struggled to maintain a balance between extreme political factions vying for power. These events would ultimately set the stage for further political upheaval, including the Greek Civil War, as divided loyalties persisted among the populace. The aftermath of the plebiscite and George II's ruling saw increased tensions leading to challenges for his regime, eventually culminating in a military coup in 1947 that ousted him once again. This cycle of monarchy and republicanism underscored the broader European struggle between democratic ideals and authoritarianism during this tumultuous time in history.