“I’m here, I didn’t leave” replied the former president of SYRIZA-PS Alexis Tsipras to a journalist’s comment “we sense that you should return” and on the occasion of the report of the head of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, D. Hatzivasiliou: “we sensed that you are leader of the official opposition, listening to your speech Mr. Tsipras”, on the sidelines of the conference on Strengthening Democracy, organized by the Presidency of the Republic and the Hellenic Parliament.
Mr. Tsipras conveyed to parliamentary editors the feeling that “parliamentary dialogue has been greatly degraded, with the fragmentation with the many parties”
The speech
The need for the Council of Europe to contribute to clarifying “major cases”, such as that of illegal surveillance, of Tempe and Pylos, was requested by the former Prime Minister, Alexis Tsipras, at the day “Strengthening Democracy”, held on the occasion of the completion 75 years since the establishment of the Council of Europe and 50 years since the Greek re-ratification of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
“The debate about democracy in Europe and in the West in general is extremely topical today. And to a large extent it is interconnected with the course of the Council of Europe and the geopolitical context in which it developed”, underlined Alexis Tsipras, pointing out that “it is an extremely important moment not only for every democratic Greek man and woman, but also for the history of the same of the Council of Europe, the exclusion of Greece from the organization, in 1969, when democracy in our country was catalyzed by sworn colonels”.
“So this tragic moment for Greece was at the same time a great moment for the Council of Europe. Because with his act he proved that he is not guided exclusively by geopolitical interests, but by the supreme purpose of defending democratic values and institutions in Europe, despite the difficult conditions created for these values and institutions by the cold war.
An attitude that, to be honest, was not followed consistently from the accession of Greece to the Council until the junta, the period when the violations of the post-conflict state at the expense of democracy and human rights in our country, were disastrous and paved the way for the military dictatorship that followed,” he said, stressing however that “fortunately, thanks to the struggle given by hundreds of progressive and democratic citizens, we had the return of democracy. And indeed later, the Council of Europe, together with the EEC, contributed substantially to the subsequent shielding and support of democracy in post-colonial Greece.”
Then Al. Tsipras explained that “nowadays democracy is usually not catalyzed by coups, like during the Cold War period, nor is it in an even incomplete strengthening process, like the post-Cold War period”. “It is challenged, but also undermined, in new ways, in a new, more complex environment of multiple crises, conflicts and rivalries. The conditions of the multi-crisis and the transition to a multi-polar world are for some an opportunity to reduce rights and widen inequalities”, he added.
“We can reasonably hope that the institutions of the Council of Europe will also contribute to the restoration of cases that constitute the biggest black spots, the open wounds of the rule of law in our country and which, unfortunately, opened in recent years,” said Mr. Tsipras , referring to “the great scandal of massive illegal telephone monitoring” and, as he added, “to the unthinkable for a European country, attempts to obstruct the investigations of the competent independent authority”, but also “to the inability of the judicial authorities to identify those responsible and to justice”.
“While there is a corresponding lack of authorities, it is found both in the dramatic shipwreck of Pylos with the drowning of hundreds of refugees and migrants, while they were in the search and rescue area of Greece for 16 hours. But also in the railway crime of Tempe, with the unjust loss of 57 of our fellow human beings”, he added.
“Today – with the consent of all of us – Greece is under surveillance by the Parliamentary Assembly. So, if we want to celebrate with greater pride in the future anniversaries like today’s, the 50th anniversary of the re-ratification of the European Convention on Human Rights by our country, it is imperative that the executive as well as its judicial power rise to the occasion . So that we can really talk about deepening the Rule of Law, about a strong and not a suffering Democracy”, concluded the former prime minister.
#Tsipras #didnt #leave
**Interview with Alexis Tsipras: Strengthening Democracy in Today’s Europe**
**Interviewer:** Mr. Tsipras, thank you for joining us today. You mentioned that parliamentary dialogue has been “greatly degraded.” Can you elaborate on what you believe are the main factors contributing to this fragmentation among parties?
**Alexis Tsipras:** Thank you for having me. The fragmentation we see today stems from several factors, including the rise of numerous smaller parties that dilute the voices of traditional ones. This has led to a chaotic political landscape where constructive dialogue is overshadowed by competing interests. It is essential for us to find common ground and focus on collaboration, especially in times that demand unity.
**Interviewer:** You also spoke about the role of the Council of Europe in clarifying major cases such as illegal surveillance. Why is this so crucial at this moment?
**Alexis Tsipras:** The issues surrounding illegal surveillance are not just about individual rights; they address the core of democracy itself. When citizens feel their privacy is invaded, it undermines public trust in democratic institutions. By encouraging the Council of Europe to take a stand, we are advocating for transparency, accountability, and the protection of fundamental human rights—principles that must be upheld for democracy to thrive.
**Interviewer:** You reminisced about the history of Greece’s exclusion from the Council of Europe in 1969 during the military dictatorship. How do you relate that event to today’s struggles for democracy?
**Alexis Tsipras:** That exclusion was a dark chapter in our history, but it also exemplified the Council of Europe’s commitment to democratic values. Today, while overt military coups may be less common, democracy faces new challenges from within. We must be vigilant against both authoritarian tendencies and the normalization of undemocratic practices. It’s a different battle; however, the spirit of protecting democracy remains fundamentally the same.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned that democracy today is undermined in new ways. Can you give us an example of what you mean by that?
**Alexis Tsipras:** Certainly. Today, we see challenges such as disinformation campaigns, erosion of press freedom, and the rise of populist movements that exploit social unrest. These modern threats are more subtle yet equally detrimental to democratic processes. It requires a collective effort to address them, ensuring democracy adapts and evolves while remaining resilient against such attacks.
**Interviewer:** As the official leader of the opposition, what steps do you believe need to be taken to restore trust in the parliamentary process in Greece?
**Alexis Tsipras:** First, we need to encourage open dialogue and transparency in governance. This means holding those in power accountable and ensuring that citizens are informed and engaged. Additionally, fostering coalitions based on shared values rather than mere political gain can rebuild the trust that has eroded over the years.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Mr. Tsipras, for sharing your insights with us today.
**Alexis Tsipras:** Thank you for the opportunity to discuss these vital issues. It’s crucial that we all work together to safeguard our democracy.
