The President of the Republic has emphasized the country’s resilience despite the difficulties of recent years
Message of unity and stability was addressed by the President of the Republic Konstantinos Tasoulas In his speech, at the celebration of the 51st Anniversary of the Republic of Restoration, stressing that “with unity in the great and the great, which must unite us, stability in domestic and international reputation we can overcome the complexes that stand in front of us every time.”
At the same time, he referred to the special importance of July 24th for the Third Hellenic Republic and praised the role of the late Konstantinos Karamanlis, referring to an iconic leader, who sealed the most vital, the most fundamental conquests of modern Hellenism.
In particular, the President of the Republic noted that “July 24 is a historic turning point in the course of Hellenism, as it marks the consolidation of democratic institutions and a milestone for the country’s full integration into the core of the democratic and developed world. A process that culminated in Greece’s introduction to European communities just years after the restoration of democracy. These successes, which are perhaps the most vital, the most fundamental conquests of modern Hellenism, have the stamp of an iconic leader, Constantine Karamanlis. “
In this context, he emphasized that “like any other important anniversary, the 51 years that are completed this year by the restoration of democracy, give us the opportunity not only to remember the historical events but also to evaluate their importance in today, to reflect on the constant dialogue between the past and the present. This mental exercise is not only important for pumping – always useful – lessons from historical experience but also for understanding today’s challenges and dealing with them. Challenges that are constantly multiplying in a time of increasing instability and uncertainty, such as climate crisis, international economic instability and the intensity of geopolitical pressures our country is facing in its wider region. “
Referring to the two -year black page, he argued that “the tragic seven -year dictatorship was not only a constitutional diversion but a multifaceted regression for the country. It has jeopardized its historical orientation and social cohesion while at the international level it led Greece to international disrepair and isolation. The collapse of the military regime eventually came as a result of the junta’s unprofessional policy on the Cyprus issue. The invasion of the Turkish army on the island led to the illegal occupation of 37% of the Cypriot territory. The festive atmosphere of today’s event should not obscure the fact that the Cyprus issue remains an open wound and Nicosia the last divided capital of Europe. The whole of Hellenism continues to stand decisively on the side of Cyprus until the final justification of the struggle, which is certainly a prerequisite for the withdrawal of occupation troops from the island. “
Speaking about the return of Konstantinos Karamanlis to Greece and his strategy to tackle the chronic problems of the Greek political system, he noted that “when in a historic moment of complete symbols and emotional burden, Konstantinos Karamanlis returned to Greece on the night of July 23, 1974, of the Greek people for a new beginning. And indeed, Karamanlis did not suffice in the short -term management of the challenges of the moment, but consciously sought the definitive resolution of all the problems that have plagued the Greek political system for decades. Long -term targeting and construction of stable and functional institutions was a key feature of Karamanlis’ strategy. And this was because it undertook not only to carry out the difficult task of transition to democracy but also the management of a national crisis in Cyprus. “
He also recalled that “the pace of developments has been stormy. Immediate abolition of the non -existent “constitutional arrangements” of the dictatorial regime return of the army to its institutional role with its complete control of political leadership. Legalization of the parties, including the Communist Party, which was outlawed since the Civil War. The exemplary November 1974 elections completed the first and most difficult phase of the democratic transition. Immediately afterwards, the state -of -the -art referendum of December 1974 is resolved in a clear and undisputed way the state issue in favor of the indefinite democracy. In June 1975, the most complete, modern and democratic constitution was voted on in Greek constitutional history. The 1975 Constitution was adequately taken into account the peculiarities of Greek reality, predicted the strengthening of executive power as a means of overcoming the impasses of the past and formulated a comprehensive regulatory framework for adapting the Greek legal order to the European regulation. The 1975 Constitution proved to be the longest -serving charter of the modern Greek state and despite the challenges, which it has successfully overcome, remains the basis of our democratic state. “
Regarding Karamanlis’ efforts to shield the new politics and the rebuilding of democratic institutions within the country, he emphasized that “along with the reconstitution of democratic institutions inside, the Karamanlis governments have decisively proceeded to shield the new state. One was the reorganization of the army, whose operational capacity had been seriously undermined by the malevolent of the junta – unmistakable witness, the tragic recruitment of July 1974. The defendance of the country’s independence and the safeguarding of its disproportionate capacity – Institutions. The second pillar was the strategic decision to access European communities, which must be seen as a constituent part of its democratic transition itself. As a member of United Europe since 1981, Greece would have an additional guarantee of its democratic government, strengthen its security and ensure its social and economic development. Also basic conditions for the political stabilization of the country and the consolidation of its position in the Western world. “
Describing the success and speed of the Greek transition to the Republic, which surprised even the most optimistic observers, Mr. Tasoulas noted that “the key component of success was the obsession of Constantine Karamanlis in the unity of the inner front, in the cultivation of a politician. A possible revival of old political conflicts could also derail the entire venture of democratization. The postwar regime, in the narrow sense of democratic transition, is a compass for the future and a national legacy. He showed that with the National Front, and with the necessary political will to overcome the impasses of the past, Greece has managed to change the page and leave behind a long period of institutional crisis and uncertainty. “
Concluding, he observed that “we are now in the second fifty years of life of the Third Hellenic Republic and the institutional framework set up in 1974-5 has proven its resilience. The strategic decisions made at that time for the country’s international position have also proved to be the same durable and national benefits. ” He also added that “the successive crises of recent years and the political acuity that unfortunately continues to characterize our political life in many cases have failed to seriously shake the post -political building” and ended up with the exhortation “let us maintain it, so we must, and so do we, We go beyond the Complexes, which stand in front of us! “