Stefanos Nikolaidis

There are dates that do not need an explanation. OR July 24th It’s one of them.

It’s not just the calendar of a regime. Is the sound of the door that closed behind her seven years And the silence that followed. Is the picture of Konstantinos Karamanlisin the early hours of the morning at Hellenic Airport. Is the soul of a country Standing in amazement – and yet, ready to build from the beginning.

OR Restoration of democracy It was a one restart. It was the first time Greece felt that it could belong to the free world irrevocably. The Institutions were re -establishedthe 1975 Constitution founded a new governmentthe political passions They found an institutional outlet. The rule of law It became the main challenge. OR Europe It opened its doors – and we entered, carrying hopes, shortcomings and injuries together.

Fifty and a time later, we can say:

OR Transition It is the longest period of democratic stability in modern Greek history. It wasn’t perfect. It was not unmistakable. But it was stable. It was democratic. And – mainly – it was ours.

Why is this the most important?

We were not “given” democracy. We chose it. And every time it is done, every time it is undermined, we have to choose it again.

Transition

The question is another today: do we still live in the Transition?

In recent years, this question has returned burdensome. OR political polarizationthe challenge of institutionsthe abstentionthe culture of depreciation and conspiracy theoriesthe pandemicsthe memorandumthe populismthe financial crisisthe artificial intelligenceeven the war to Ukraine or Medialthey show us that Democracy is no longer a given.

OR challenge for the next 50 years is not to do not We rest again. Is to we reappear.

Not with anniversary cheetahs. But with acts. So I wonder:

  • How We protect her freedom of speech without tool;
  • How We ensure transparency Without becoming in common in reality of scandal;
  • How We build trust to institutions;
  • How We participateinstead of We observe;

Transition

OR Democracy It’s not a box you open once and it’s over. Is Exercise everyday. And they are Our case.

For July 24th It’s not just anniversary. Is reminder.

And in spite of the times, today we can still say confidently: We are free. We are responsible. We live in democracy.