Democracy

The discussions held last week at the conference commemorating the 50th anniversary of the restoration of Greek democracy organized, among others, by Kathimerini, showed that the country's political system can also articulate a reflective discourse that goes beyond the narrow limits of party confrontations. 

Is Greece's transition to democracy, a historical process known as the "Metapolitefsi," complete? What are the legacies and hangups left behind, 50 years after the collapse of the military dictatorship? The debate on these and many more questions has started, and it needs to carry on, if for no other reason than to separate myth from reality.

Greeks have revised their view regarding technocratic governments, according to a Pew Institute poll of 24 nations for 2023, which found that support for expert cabinet members in Greece climbed by 25% in the last five years.

At the same time, citizens want more women, young people, and religious people in politics, as they have lost faith in the current political leadership.

The successful passage of the bill legalizing same-sex marriage brought relief to the government as the measure had created internal divisions and has left scars in New Democracy with one third of the party's deputies not voting for the law in Parliament.

2024 will see billions of people head to the polls, including in the US, and many have asked if global democracy is on the ballot.

"In this way, we safeguard democracy and the interests of the Greek people," Archbishop said on a radio station. 

It should classify as one of the teething problems of democracy. However, it remains a stark reality that blatantly contradicts the principles of the rule of law: Judicial rulings, issued by the Council of State, Greece's highest administrative court, often go unimplemented due to political expediency or to serve vested interests. 

In 2023, an unprecedented political scenario was created in Greece's post-dictatorship history.

A legislation establishing postal vote for the upcoming European elections, as well as national referendums, was voted by the parliament on Wednesday. 

The provision was passed by the 158 MPs of ruling New Democracy party. 

He added that disinformation weakens the social fabric.