President Tasoulas Marks 52 Years of Greek Democracy with Call for Unity and Vigilance

Greek President Konstantinos Tasoulas has marked the 52nd anniversary of the restoration of democracy by urging national unity, institutional responsibility and continued commitment to democratic values, while reaffirming Greece’s support for a just and lasting solution to the Cyprus issue.

In his commemorative message, Tasoulas described the period since the fall of the military dictatorship in 1974 as the most stable and enduring era of parliamentary democracy in modern Greek history. He said the achievements of the past five decades should never be taken for granted, stressing that democracy requires constant protection and active participation.

The President paid tribute to the late Konstantinos Karamanlis, who led Greece’s transition back to democracy following the collapse of the junta, describing his leadership as instrumental in restoring constitutional order and placing Greece firmly on its European path.

Tasoulas said democracy offers not only freedoms but also responsibilities, calling on political leaders and citizens alike to safeguard democratic institutions through respect, dialogue and national cohesion.

“Democracy does not only guarantee rights,” he said. “It also places obligations on all of us.”

Addressing today’s geopolitical environment, the President noted that Greece faces a world marked by conflict, instability and uncertainty. He said the country’s democratic institutions have matured over the past 52 years and are equipped to confront modern challenges, provided they continue to be supported by responsible governance and public trust.

A significant part of his message focused on Cyprus, linking the restoration of democracy in Greece with the events of July 1974, when Turkey invaded Cyprus following the coup backed by the military junta.

Tasoulas described Cyprus as a continuing national issue and reiterated Greece’s longstanding support for a comprehensive, viable and functional settlement based on international law and United Nations resolutions.

He also opened his address by recalling the words of Nobel Prize-winning Greek poet George Seferis, whose public opposition to the dictatorship became one of the defining moral voices of the era. The President said Seferis’ warning against oppression remains a powerful reminder of the importance of protecting democratic freedoms.

Earlier in the day, Tasoulas visited the former EAT-ESA military police detention centre at Freedom Park in Athens, where he laid a wreath at the bust of Spyros Moustaklis, one of the most recognised figures of resistance against the military dictatorship. During the visit, he met representatives of the Association of Imprisoned and Exiled Resistance Fighters of 1967–1974 and members of Moustaklis’ family.

The ceremony honoured those who were imprisoned, tortured and persecuted during the dictatorship, reinforcing the importance of remembering the sacrifices that helped restore democracy in Greece.

Concluding his message, Tasoulas said Greece’s democratic achievements must continue to be strengthened through responsible political leadership, strong institutions and an engaged society, ensuring that the legacy of the post-1974 era endures for future generations.

Source: Pagenews.gr

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