At Monument to the Unknown Soldierrespecting the laws and the statements of the mayor of Athens Harry Doukassaid the press representative of New Democracy Alexandra Sdoukou speaking to Megaunderlining that “citizens demand legitimacy and rules”.

Referring to the Memorial, she noted that the new legislation restores clarity and strengthens the rule of law: “In a rule of law, laws are passed to be followed. There are things that we may or may not like, but it is the duty of all of us to respect the law.”

He also emphasized the educational role of laws, explaining how they set the framework for social behavior: “The question is often heard, ‘will they arrest the world?’ This is the wrong approach. The legislator does not make a law to punish, but to guide. Like the Road Traffic Code: it’s not there to take away the licence, but to make rules and remind us to be careful, so here are rules about where gatherings are allowed.”

Mrs. Sdoukou clarified that management issues and operational issues will be examined by the relevant ministries and based on the principle of proportionality: “The goal is not to arrest a citizen, but to prevent organized acts of violence. It’s one thing for a citizen to protest individually, and another when you have 500 mobsters with Molotov cocktails.”

“The statements of the mayor of Athens were ironic and unfortunate”

Referring to the statements of the mayor of Athens Haris Doukas, who commented ironically with the phrase “good luck” on the initiatives of the Ministry of Defense, Mrs. Sdoukou replied: “I find it insulting and ironic. In fact, as his sentence concerns the management of a monument of such value, the ironic style is – at least – unnecessary, he even underlined that it seems that Mr. Doukas moves “looking first at the central political stage.

The law gives responsibility for the care of the monument to the minister and enables him to find the best way. Mr. Dendias wanted to see if the municipality of Athens wanted to get involved. Mr. Doukas refused to contribute and the ministry is proceeding with the next procedure.”

The press representative of the ND pointed out that the Minister of National Defense, Nikos Dendias, acted in a spirit of cooperation, saying: “Mr. Dendias, as soon as he assumed responsibility, called the Minister of Citizen Protection, Michalis Chrysochoidis, and the mayor of Athens to jointly discuss operational issues. If he didn’t, there would still be criticism that he is acting alone.”

“The majority of citizens want legitimacy and respect for the rules”

In closing, Mrs. Sdoukou emphasized that the Ministry of National Defense now has the responsibility and supervision of the area, as provided by the legislation, underlining: “The majority of citizens want legitimacy and respect for the rules. This is the essence of democracy.”