“The claim that Konstantinos Karamanlis was ready to enter into full-scale negotiations with Turkey, as heard from a quarter recently, is not true,” stressed the former Prime Minister, Kostas Karamanlis, with during his speech at a book launch event. in Thessaloniki.
As K. Karamanlis stated about the founder of the New Democracy faction, his attitude towards Turkey was “open channels of communication, but with firm positions, always formulated with absolute clarity. Konstantinos Karamanlis believed that the only dispute with Turkey, that is the delimitation of the continental shelf in the Aegean, should be resolved in accordance with International Law and international treaties, if an appeal to the International Court of Justice in The Hague is necessary based on a note pledge. And it was Turkey that supported it. This is the historical truth. In other words, the suggestion that Konstantinos Karamanlis would be willing to discuss issues that Turkey tries to unilaterally and arbitrarily add to the agenda over time is inaccurate, misleading and perhaps unwise.”
“The concerns and concerns expressed regarding our national issues are reasonable and genuine. Its emergence basically strengthens our national fixed positions, especially when they are expressed with responsible lips. It is wrong to treat them as critical matters, while the country is still committed to the national line”, emphasized the former prime minister, presenting the book by journalist Vangelis Plakas entitled ”Konstantinos Karamanlis and Thessaloniki”.
The three stories of Konstantinos Karamanlis
The former prime minister spoke about three legacies left by Konstantinos Karamanlis, as follows:
-“First, that the basic condition of democracy and its smooth functioning is social justice and integration. I quote her words: “when people cannot achieve social justice within the framework of democracy, their confidence in the idea of democracy is”. Or as Plutarch said “the inequality between the rich and the poor is the oldest and deadliest disease of any democracy”.
—Secondly, respect for institutions and separation of powers. Human rights, civil liberties, limits on state intervention, specific roles of each power, independence of the judiciary, citizen security are equally important. Democracy is not only about the right to vote and elections. It is also, perhaps above all, respect for the laws and rules of the game.
-Thirdly, the calm political climate and mild political morality. Democracy does not thrive when insults, personal disputes, unrestrained party competition, discord and division are the first to speak. Constantine Karamanlis, in contrast to many of his predecessors, did not overthrow the government, nor attempted movements, nor the division of the Greeks. Even towards his political opponents, he was tough, but always reasonable and respectful of the other point of view”.
“Despite the fact that he was biased, biased, insulted like few others, himself he never reduced political disagreement to personal strife. This excellence and qualitative excellence in his public behavior, and not only, had an exemplary and pedagogical effect throughout public life for the benefit of the democratic state,” he said and added: “Legacies are of particular importance Konstantinos Karamanlis even today. Because the democratic state could be firmly established in our country, the number of countries with a democratic regime in the world could have increased significantly, but there are risks to democracy and especially to its quality and must be dealt with them effectively before they cause irreparable damage. “.
The dangers to Democracy
He pointed out that there are risks to democracy despite the progress that has been made and he asked the West to devise a new socio-economic model urgently. Specifically, he said:
“The widening of social inequality, the marginalization of a large part of the population pressures a growing number of citizens to abstain and reject the political process.. Even worse in the eyes of many the system has lost its legitimacy. They become “refugees from politics”, that is to say, they reject their participation in society, or they reject “political people” abandoning historical parties and turning to more intense voices and forms. And their dissatisfaction and disappointment make the public life more and more harsh, aggressive, verbal violence and not only with violence, which hurts stability and the democratic process. What is happening in most European countries, but also during the pre-election period in the USA, confirms these concerns. There is an urgent need for the West to create a new social-economic model that will respond to the fears, barriers and exclusion felt by the least favored citizens in particular.
No political system, even parliamentary democracy, can survive for long if it does not have strong legitimacy and credibility in the eyes of the vast majority of citizens. And adding fuel to the fire are those who arrogantly and arrogantly denounce citizens who are disaffected and who claim to be regressive, atomistic or extremist citizens.
The revelation in a recent survey of public opinion is surprising, that 50% of respondents state that they feel “outside the walls” outside society, that is, excluded and unprotected. The growing gap between the few houses and the many indifference to the foundations of democratic normality and stability is a bomb, and indeed it is not a slow thing.
An equally serious issue is the growing lack of respect for institutions. Lawlessness, all forms of criminality, from child violence and hooliganism to organized crime activity clearly show that legitimacy is being questioned more and more. It is the same with justice. In many European societies, there is bias towards the powerful, and severity towards the weak. EU member states are even tempted to manipulate justice. It should be unimaginable and yet it happens. The delay in delivering justice makes the situation even worse. But if many people do not trust justice, the democratic state is undermined. Belief in justice is a fundamental condition for the functioning of democracy. As Alexander Hamilton, one of the founding fathers of the USA, said, “I believe that justice is the primary duty of society.”
A key issue for the quality of democracy is valid, accurate and unbiased information. It is a necessary condition for free choice, which is undermined when information, with or without quotation marks, serves opportunistic or vested interests. Due to the rapid technological developments in the field of communication and information, the unimaginable possibilities of the Internet, but also the risks of disorientation, selective information, misinformation and the mass spread of fake news, it is one of the challenges for us. A clear example of our days, the war conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. Beyond the victims and the disasters, the huge role of modern propaganda emerges. And if this is a common practice for authoritarian regimes for centuries, we also see that the democratic West competes with them worthy, but hurts its greatest advantage, the qualitative and moral edge that a free democratic state must have by definition. I draw attention to the latter, because propaganda tends to thrive on targeting and defaming those who disagree with its dominant narrative. In the anti-democratic logic of “he who is not with us is an enemy”.
Constantinos Karamanlis’ relations with Thessaloniki and Macedonia
Regarding Constantinos Karamanlis’s relationship with Thessaloniki, he said it was “a relationship between life and perspective” and added: ”Macedonia himself brought out from his youth the strategic importance of the region for the future of Greece, its role in the Balkans and south-eastern Europe , its importance in protecting national interests. She realized that her footprint was much higher than the dimensions of a typical urban complex. That it had a special geopolitical weight, national surplus value, an economic, commercial, transport, cultural nerve node. In other words, a city with a wide hinterland and potential influence, a main crossroads East – West, North – South. That’s why he gave it not only to flagship buildings, like the one of EMS where we are today, but to basic infrastructure projects and strong institutions. In simple words, he transformed the Balkan city into a modern European city.”
Regarding Konstantinos Karamanlis, his relationship with Thessaloniki and the works he did in the region, putting his stamp on it, said the secretary of the Political Committee of the New Democracy Maria Syregela, the Deputy Minister of the Interior (Macedonia and Thrace) Kostas Giulkas, the Minister spoke Infrastructure and Transport Christos Staikouras, president of KEDE, mayor of Ampelokipi Menemeni Lazaros Kyrizoglou and journalist-author Phaedon Giagiozis.
Interviewer: Good evening, and welcome to this exclusive interview with Dr. Eleni Georgiou, a political analyst and expert on democratic governance. We are discussing the recent statements made by former Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis at a book launch event regarding his uncle, Konstantinos Karamanlis, and his approach to national issues and democracy. Dr. Georgiou, thank you for joining us.
Dr. Georgiou: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here.
Interviewer: Kostas Karamanlis firmly dismissed claims that Konstantinos was open to full-scale negotiations with Turkey, emphasizing his respect for international law. Why is this distinction important, particularly in the context of Greece-Turkey relations?
Dr. Georgiou: It’s crucial because it underscores a historical commitment to resolving disputes through diplomacy and international law rather than through unilateral concessions or ambiguous dialogues. Konstantinos Karamanlis believed in clear and firm positions, especially when it came to the delicate matters of the Aegean. His approach provides a framework for current leaders today on how to navigate these complex geopolitical waters with both firmness and clarity.
Interviewer: During his speech, Kostas highlighted that the concerns regarding national issues should strengthen Greece’s fixed positions rather than be treated as mere critiques. How does this perspective shape the political discourse in Greece?
Dr. Georgiou: This perspective reflects a unifying approach to national security that can bolster national identity and resilience. When political leaders frame concerns not as criticisms but as part of a collective responsibility towards strengthening the country, it fosters a more cohesive public discourse. It encourages citizens to engage with national issues actively rather than to adopt an oppositional stance simply because they may disagree with the government.
Interviewer: On the topic of democracy, Konstantinos Karamanlis left behind three significant legacies. Could you elaborate on how these legacies are still relevant today?
Dr. Georgiou: Certainly! The first legacy, which stresses the importance of social justice within democracy, is more pertinent than ever given the rising inequality in many societies today. If citizens feel excluded from the benefits of democracy, their faith in the system erodes.
The second, respect for institutions and the separation of powers, becomes vital in times when the integrity of judicial systems is threatened, as we’ve seen in various democratic nations.
Lastly, the call for a calm political climate is essential today when we witness heated divisions and discord. Karamanlis advocated for respectful dialogue over personal attacks, which is a lesson many could take to heart to restore public trust in democratic institutions.
Interviewer: Speaking of trust, Karamanlis warned of dangers to democracy, particularly regarding rising social inequality and a lack of respect for institutions. How do these factors impact democracy’s health today?
Dr. Georgiou: Rising social inequality can lead to political disengagement, as seen in recent surveys where a significant portion of the population feels excluded. This disconnect fosters a fertile ground for extremist ideologies. If citizens feel their needs are ignored, they are more likely to gravitate towards radical solutions or populist leaders.
Moreover, a lack of respect for institutions erodes legitimacy. If the public perceives injustice or bias in the systems that are meant to uphold democracy—like the judiciary—they lose trust, which is fundamental for a functioning democracy. This cycle can lead to destabilization and conflict, as more citizens may resort to protests or radical activism.
Interviewer: In your view, what steps should be taken to address these challenges and bolster democracy in Greece and the wider West?
Dr. Georgiou: We need a multi-faceted approach. First, addressing social inequality through comprehensive policies that include marginalized voices in the political process. This could mean reforming social welfare programs or ensuring fair economic opportunities.
Second, restoring public trust in institutions by ensuring accountability and transparency within the judicial system. Legal reforms must be prioritized to prevent biases and delays.
combating misinformation in our increasingly digital age must be a priority. We need robust media literacy programs to empower citizens to discern credible information from fake news—especially critical in framing public discussions around international issues and domestic policies.
Interviewer: Thank you, Dr. Georgiou, for these insightful perspectives on such crucial topics. It seems clear that Konstantinos Karamanlis’s vision has enduring relevance as we navigate the complexities of modern democracy.
Dr. Georgiou: Thank you for having me. The lessons of the past are indeed valuable as we face current and future challenges.
