“2024 was a highly symbolic year for our country, as it marks 50 years since the restoration of the Republic”, said Katerina Sakellaropoulou, among others, in her New Year’s message.

The President of the Republic initially took stock of 2024, stating that it was a highly symbolic year due to the completion of half a century of restoration of the state.

Then, he noted that “as our world is now becoming more and more complex in the face of political instability and war conflicts, our homeland is a pillar of stability and peace in the region.”

“The great bet of our time is the quality of democracy and its strengthening, in spite of those who underestimate it and question it at its core. Our common denominator, value and institutional, must be the basic and unsurpassed principles of our culture, freedom, equality and solidarity”.

The entire New Year’s message of the President of the Republic is as follows:

“My dear countrymen,

2024 was a year with high symbolism for our country. The 50th anniversary of the restoration of the Republic was an occasion for evaluation and reflection. The great achievements of the Post-colonial period, the democratic and institutional smoothness, the European direction and the established position of Greece among the advanced States are our most powerful resources for the future. Our Greek and European identity are inseparable. They define our state horizon, as well as our way of life. The Greeks have achieved a lot, withstood the acute and successive crises and maintained their faith in the fundamental values ​​of our social and political coexistence. In troubled and uncertain times, with political instability prevailing in the heart of Europe and war conflicts continuing in Ukraine and the Middle East, our homeland is a pillar of stability and peace in the region. Demonstrating respect for international law and commitment to dialogue, without giving in to issues of national sovereignty, in the face of all kinds of revisionism.

Our world is now becoming more and more complex, hiding great risks and changes for modern democracies, even the most developed ones. The challenges are multiple and existential. They transcend national borders and require constant vigilance and synergies abroad, major consensuses and targeted public policies at home. For halting the devastating effects of the climate crisis, ensuring precious energy sufficiency, the beneficial and ethical use of artificial intelligence, reversing ominous demographic forecasts, boldly reforming the State for the benefit of the many, especially our vulnerable fellow citizens. No one should be left on the sidelines, no one should feel invisible and excluded. The depth and resilience of democracy lies in trust in the State, in the fulfillment of our expectations from it, in the strong, universal feeling of belonging to an open and just society.

Our common denominator, value and institutional, must be the basic and unsurpassed principles of our culture, freedom, equality and solidarity. Political action presupposes continuous contact with society and its needs. The synthesis of the general and national interest, far from micro-political and contemporary expediencies. Achieving a reasonable balance between individual rights and our obligations as members of society.

The great bet of our time is the quality of democracy and its strengthening, in spite of those who underestimate it and question it at its core. Each of us has his own share of responsibility for progress, prosperity and social cohesion, not only for present, but also for future generations. Unity and solidarity is what vindicates the Greeks and their long course in history.

My dear fellow citizens,

I hope that 2025 brings everyone health and happiness.”