"Mass Rally in Thessaloniki: 5,000 Protesters Oppose New ID Cards"
Approximately 5,000 individuals gathered in Thessaloniki, Greece, on Sunday to express their opposition to the upcoming introduction of new identity cards, according to the local police. The demonstrators, waving Greek flags and carrying banners, congregated at the city's famous White Tower, located beside the waterfront. They voiced their discontent through slogans, the national anthem, and the playing of a speech by the late Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens, who had cautioned against the adversaries of the Greek people. Following the gathering, the protesters proceeded through the city center before dispersing peacefully.
The forthcoming machine-readable cards will replace the current identification documents, containing similar personal information such as name, parents' names, address, and height. The sole additional piece of information, blood type, is optional. However, conspiracy theories surrounding the new IDs have emerged, with some individuals claiming that the cards possess chips enabling authorities to track cardholders' whereabouts or even control their minds. Many objecting to the IDs are individuals of strong religious faith.
In response to such concerns, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, during a recent cabinet meeting, expressed frustration and clarified that the IDs will not include any chips, cameras, or listening devices. The religious connections of the protesters have presented a dilemma for the Church of Greece, as some bishops have actively supported the demonstrations. Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens, who lacks the fervent rhetoric of his predecessor, Archbishop Christodoulos, stated that the Church's Holy Synod will issue a statement regarding the IDs in the coming days and advised caution and prudence.
A similar protest rally is scheduled to occur in the capital city of Athens next weekend. The new IDs, aligned with EU-wide standards, will become compulsory by August 2026.
