Those who are not satisfied with the «titles» of the Newspapers, but also read the content, will surely be puzzled by the research findings of METRON ANALYSIS on behalf of the «Idea Circle» of Evangelos Venizelos. 38% thinks that too much democracy hurts the country! 66% thinks that the measures of pandemic disregard democratic rules, while 86% calls for changes in the political system...

At the same time, the Economist Intelligence Unit has identified a problem of democracy in our country. For the second consecutive year, it ranks us in the «defective democracies». Our country is in 37th place, since in this year's ranking the first 23 countries are characterized as «full democracies», the next 52 are «defective» (including Greece) and 57 are «authoritarian regimes».

There are three problems: The first is the quality of democracy itself. The second is that a significant proportion of citizens want less democracy. The third is that the political system is no longer convincing citizens who know what they do not want, but who do not know what they do want... What should we be most concerned about?;

Let's be honest: This conservatisation of society, the regression on democracy, the compromise with less democracy, is the result of choices made by political leaders., is the result of a extreme populism emitted by the systemic media but also part of the political leadership, is the absence of the spiritual world from what has been going on for many years. To be clear, there are many issues of democracy that were not addressed by all previous governments (e.g. the democratisation of the police), but this government now covers and «legitimizes» authoritarianism and anti-democratic aberrations.

We ought to talk on this issue all democratic citizens, we who I believe are the vast majority of society. I am well aware that we will be personally attacked; we already are. We have even been called «terrorist lovers» recently or «conscious spreaders of the coronavirus». It goes without saying that we don't respond to nonsense and foolish or misinformed people... This 38% who thinks that too much democracy hurts the country sees every mention of democracy issues, every claim, even every post on social media. These citizens, obviously frightened by the pandemic, obviously influenced by the media, feel «threatened» by the tens of thousands of other citizens who have risen up in every corner of the country against the police brutality or the hundreds of thousands who simply joined their voices using social media.

The comforting thing is that we have now «left the couch» and are taking the «democracy cause» into our own hands. That many people of spirit and art have spoken. That especially the youth «do not sit on their eggs». Just as the Greek Constitution provides for, as our European democratic heritage since the Enlightenment provides for. Hours after hours you are disappointed when you talk to friends of conservative views, educated, honest, hard-working, family men, who believe that democracy is threatened by those who exercise their democratic rights (such as peaceful protest)!!!

Police arbitrariness is «isolated», but the reactions to it are «irresponsible»... Those who participated in «staged» mobilisations were even responsible for the spread of the coronavirus!!! While those who crowded into churches were not... There is a reality in our country: There is a strong social division.

There are many fanatical supporters of government authoritarianism and many fanatical denouncers. Personally, I am not an «equal opportunity» without (I believe...) being a bigot. I believe that the government has a great responsibility because it supports and supports authoritarianism. That it «nurtures» something particularly dangerous for democracy. That it broadcasts divisive discourse and uses the media to impose this style and content on public discourse (perhaps to cover up other weaknesses in its communication). I clearly do not consider anyone with a different view to be a «fascist», especially those who speak with seriousness and dignity. It is their right. But I am concerned when I see some police unionists (and some who feel like «gendarmes») about to threaten us at every appearance on TV. Broadcasting the message «I am the law» or «sit quietly», threatening citizens and lawyers on live TV, taunting us that «there will be an investigation into the matter»... Easy guys, don't be so harsh!

The «democracy affair» is too serious to be followed from a distance. We ought to speak out, and more and more of us are doing so. Personally, I have not participated in any of the recent mobilisations. But if necessary I will do so, as will many others... For now I will assert and passionately exercise my right to speak... Because silence is not a solution.

By Yannis Koronaiou