Types of democracy

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.

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

He added that disinformation weakens the social fabric.

On Monday Greece introduced a bill that would allow for voting by mail, a long-standing request of diaspora Greeks and a measure that has been applied in almost all modern democracies. Interior Minister Niki Kerameus said the reform will make it easier to exercise the right to vote and will deepen democracy.

A few weeks ago, in its annual preview of the new year about to start, The Economist highlighted how important 2024 will be for democracy worldwide. The British magazine was one of the first voices to cast attention on the fact that in the next 12 months more than 70 countries will head to the polls.

In political developments, we often focus on internal party ramifications or even personal quarrels, ignoring the big picture.

As political parties hammer out their strategies for the next five months leading up to the European Parliament elections, the primary focus is shifting to the opposition as ruling New Democracy maintains an unchallenged substantial lead. 

Member of parliament and former minister of New Democracy, Theodoros Rousopoulos stands on the brink of assuming the presidency of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, having gathered 73% in Thursday's vote among European People's Party members from the Council's 46 member countries. 

It's less than three months to go from the next edition of the Athens Democracy Forum, taking place in the Greek capital from September 27-29, 2023.

Politicians and policymakers, academics and activists, journalists and youth will be challenged to advance and discuss concrete solutions to address the most pressing issues of our time.