Harsh criticism of her government exercised by Zoe Konstantopoulou in the Parliament, during its discussion and voting amendment pertaining to Monument to the Unknown Soldier.

The president of Plefsis Eleftheria described the prime minister “nothing” and “hidden“, claiming that he was behind those present at that time in the Plenary. She emphasized that her party continues to defend the Constitution in Parliament, while she accused members of the government of trying to impose “martial law” and suppress citizen protest.

Mrs. Konstantopoulou referred to the father of the victim of Tempe, Panos Routsi, and his fight at the monument of the Unknown Soldier. He underlined that this act “panicked” the prime minister and those around him, including government, judicial and prosecutorial officials, revealing – as he said – a “reactionary, anti-democratic attitude and mentality”.

He added that after 23 days of mobilizations, the space in front of the Parliament acquired a collective, social meaning, with the youth protecting the spot where the names of the victims of Tempe were written in red paint. As he stated, the society expressed its solidarity and support there, while even members of the governing majority admitted that the search for the truth cannot be prohibited to a parent who has lost his child.

The president of Plefsis Eleftheria accused the prime minister that, instead of recognizing the “magnificent act” of a citizen, he reacted vindictively by tabling the amendment, which – as she argued – attempts to criminalize the presence of citizens in front of Parliament.

Mrs. Konstantopoulou argued that the government is not really interested in the protection of the monument of the Unknown Soldier, characterizing the wording about protecting the integrity and use of the space as “fake writing”. He wondered who defined the destination of the monument and answered that its purpose is the “consolidation of popular sovereignty”, as enshrined in articles 1 and 2 of the Constitution.

According to the president of Plevsis Eleftherias, the amendment violates fundamental constitutional rights, such as freedom of thought, conscience and the right of assembly. He invoked articles 7, 11, 25 and 28 of the Constitution, which – as he said – ensure these freedoms.

In conclusion, he emphasized that “the right to protest and dissent is the most fundamental democratic right”. He pointed out that what bothers the government is not the symbolic movements of young people, but the very memory, resistance and collectiveness expressed in the specific space, as well as the power of a man’s struggle with society on his side.