It was Friday, December 27, 2024, when I wrote an article for KytheraNews entitled «Let's give them a way out». It was a few days after the loss of Kosmas Tzortzopoulos...

I wrote that «There is a common belief that the style and ethos of «authority» that prevailed until yesterday cannot provide solutions today. There is a common belief that those who exercised their powers without restraint or empathy bear responsibility.» I suggested that the solution should come from those «outside the current authority.».

I was writing about Kythira. I clearly implied that the situation was similar in the rest of Greece. Today, however, all of the above apply to a greater extent. Those in power (mainly the small group around the prime minister) have no sense of proportion or empathy. Scandals follow one after another. The cover-up is obvious and provocative on the part of many authorities. The demand for justice embraces the overwhelming majority of Greeks.

In recent days, in all discussions with friends (of all political persuasions), a feeling of contempt for the country's political life has emerged. This «right to remain silent» of the «frappe» or «tzitzis» in response to simple questions from MPs has caused many to lose their temper. Those who have worked and continue to work to ensure a decent life for themselves and their families feel that they are being mocked by those who «received a gift» of a Ferrari from their mother, a Porsche from their father, those who are «lucky» enough to win the lottery repeatedly, those who have millions in their bank accounts without being able to justify it...

The situation is so out of control that many leading politicians (from the so-called «establishment») are now openly speaking out against the current system of government and the Maximos team.

Former Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis recently said, among other things, that «the quality of democracy is not only endangered when the judiciary ceases to be independent. It is already endangered from the moment its independence is called into question»...

Antonis Samaras said that «our country needs a new beginning.».

Evangelos Venizelos stated that «the country has become ungovernable.».

And the list continues with much harsher expressions from members of the opposition.

What really happened to all these people that made them raise their voices so loudly? It's probably simple for those who live in society and not on a pink cloud: in recent months, we have all witnessed a series of scandals. Behind almost every scandal, there is a person who is somehow connected to the Prime Minister's Office and people close to the Prime Minister.

Recently, however, it seems that something has changed in society, which has ceased to be apathetic. Now, «those at the top cannot govern as they did yesterday, and those at the bottom do not accept being governed as they were yesterday.» The «explosion» of farmers and the support they receive from the majority of society cannot simply be «a news item on the 8 o'clock news.» It demonstrates the intense social processes and the growing demand can be summed up in «no more.».

The old political scene no longer inspires society (not to mention that it repels it), and something new is being sought. The «old» is not a matter of age but of collusion. Never before have those who made critical decisions about our future been so blatantly ridiculous, arrogant, and uneducated. Never before have there been figures in the public sphere such as the «frappe,» the «butcher,» the farmer with the Ferrari, and the «lucky» lottery winners. Even in Europe, we see phenomena that «cloud» what was once a positive image. Some talk about coffins to sell weapons, others are bribed, while we also have some of our own who beat up journalists and then hide... Overall, never before has society felt so blatantly «duped»! Never before have all kinds of «power suckers» who simply support «my people or chaos» been so exposed... From the central political scene to Kythira, people who are not up to the task dominate. People who struggle to hide their incompetence, corruption, and collusion, either by «bullying» or by exploiting the government's media supremacy.

Now is the time to speak up and take a stand. We are now in a period where the responsibilities of yesterday are competing with the actions of tomorrow. Something must be done. We cannot continue down this path that is leading us to complete disrepute.

We have reasons to be concerned. It is not simply that the leadership team behaves in the manner I described above. It is that this image of decay is spreading to society. Crime is on the rise, delinquent behavior is becoming increasingly common among young people, and many do not feel that they live in a state governed by the rule of law and decide to «take the law into their own hands.».

This way, we are not going anywhere, or rather, we are heading towards situations that may give rise to monsters. Those who do not understand should look back to the interwar period in Europe, which gave rise to Hitler, Mussolini, and Franco. There are many similarities... Tired and indignant citizens should not support so-called anti-establishment figures who declared an income of €3,000 per year (Latiniopoulou) or distribute blessed ointments (Velopoulos) and, worst of all, praise dictators. This is not a way out but a downward spiral...

There is a need for a new progressive way forward. What is certain is that the old is dying and fighting its last battle. It is also certain that the new is being sought. From the central political scene to Kythira, the time has come for alliances that will lead to the democratic overthrow of all those who are part of the problem or the problem itself. I believe that young men and women must participate in this effort in leadership positions. It is necessary for them to be supported by experienced and ethical individuals (because exercising power requires knowledge as well as values). Fortunately, there are people with such characteristics in Greece. We have reasons to be cautious, but what is certain is that the current situation is no longer tolerable...