He spoke at the 9th Delphi Economic Forum about the tragic dimensions of the demographic shrinking phenomenon that has been underestimated and the ways to reverse it the former minister and Member of Parliament for the Southern Sector of the ND, Takis Theodorikakos, with particular reference to the implications of demographics for national security.

Mr. Theodorikakos mentioned the need to include in the national strategy as a primary objective the reduction of the population and the exploitation of global Hellenism, while he also referred to the European elections, calling for the participation of expatriates and pointing out that: “The ND addresses the entire society with the principles of patriotism, freedom and solidarity”.

Bell on the implications of demographics for national security

In particular, answering the questions of Giorgos Evgenidis, Takis Theodorikakos pointed out about the demographics, that in one decade the population of Greece has decreased by 400 thousand people with the effects extending to all sectors: health, work, insurance and the national security of the country:

“We all need to heed the alarm bell about the national security implications. A Greece whose population is shrinking – especially in the border areas – is much more vulnerable,” said Mr. Theodorikakos.

Mr. Theodorikakos described as tragic the fact that the average number of births in Greece per woman is only 1.3 and pointed out that even at the beginning of World War II the demographic indicators were much better

“There must be vigilance. A strong Greece has as a prerequisite national defense, the reconstruction of the state, economic development, but the national strategy must include dealing with the demographic problem and making use of global Hellenism,” the former minister stressed.

“Young people should embrace the institution of the family”

Regarding the causes of the phenomenon, Mr. Theodorikakos spoke about the prevailing economic and social factors, but focused on the change in living standards and the decline of the traditional Greek family. “We need a strategic approach that embraces the whole of society, in order to change life patterns: young children must embrace the institution of the family, it must become a value of life again.

In addition to the low birth rate, Mr. Theodorikakos also emphasized the role of immigration, as in recent years Greece has “lost” the brain drain in general. “One has to consider how they will come back. The Greek state must provide special incentives for their return to Greece,” he noted.

The former minister referred to the government’s “positive measures” (increase and expansion of benefits, special coke housing programs) and added: “Bold measures and policies are needed to support new births, exhausting every limit of fiscal support for extra leave and early retirement for women who will have children”.

For the European elections

Mr. Theodorikakos was also asked about the upcoming elections. He emphasized that the government, which received a strong mandate only a year ago, will be judged at the end of the four years and added: “The risk is abstention, I call on the Greek expatriates to register and make use of the postal vote.”

“The ND is a great party, it is based on its ideology and its reform program and it addresses the entire society with its work and the principles of patriotism, freedom and solidarity” he concluded his reasoning.