Greece’s President Prokopios Pavlopoulos spoke of a message of clear unity regarding the defense of democracy and the country’s national issues, at the annual reception held in the Presidential Mansion gardens on Wednesday to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the restoration of democracy following the dictatorship.
Pavlopoulos stressed that "we honor the emblematic anniversary of the restoration of the Greek Republic on July 24, 1974, as is appropriate for the occasion and with the united democratic political forces of the country. And through this ardent unity, we proclaim our non-negotiable decision to discharge - uninterrupted and without any reservation - our obligation to defend democracy against all."
He also noted that "we honor the dead who fought for the defense of democracy, as well as all the fighters of the resistance who are no longer with us. Fighters, whom the present survivors represent, embodying the vivid memory of that time."
In attendance were a number of politicians and dignitaries, as well as leadership of the armed forces and security forces, and the leadership of the Church and Justice.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis also arrived at the Presidential Palace a bit after 8 pm and greeted the leaders of political parties, the House Speaker and the Deputy Prime Minister, Panagiotis Pikrammenos.
Greece’s former Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and former Greek Minister of Finance Yanis Varoufakis, as well as President of the Panhellenic Socialist Movement, Fofi Gennimata were also in attendance.
Wrapping up his brief statement, the Greek President made special mention of the 2018 fire tragedy in Mati "and its equally tragic victims," noting that last year the anniversary reception was cancelled in mourning for the Mati victims, and asserted that "the tragedy in Mati and its victims will never be forgotten, this being the only way to prevent any such similar incident in the future."
*Images by Nick Bourdaniotis Photography (Copyright)