The Spartakos Free Soldiers Network has strongly criticised Defence Minister Nikos Dendias over an upcoming wave of military retirements, accusing the government of rewarding hundreds of high-ranking colonels with brigadier general pensions, despite their early exit from service.

Mass retirement of colonels amid ND-PASOK political deals

The network claims that, following the recent promotions of generals and brigadier generals, the Ministry of Defence is preparing to retire hundreds of colonels, many more than in the US Army, exposing what they describe as a system οφ clientelism between the ruling New Democracy and PASOK governments.

“A possible date is Monday, January 27, 2025, when the political patronage that has shaped the military hierarchy will be laid bare,” the network stated.

According to Spartakos, the structural inefficiencies within the armed forces are a result of political favouritism rather than strategic defence needs:

“Positions once suitable for majors were gradually taken by lieutenant colonels, and now colonels hold them. These are unnecessary command roles, maintained not for ‘defence’ but for vote hunting and political interests.”

“Some colonels have even been placed in high-paying, prestigious foreign posts, often without any responsibilities or even the ability to speak basic English,” the group added.

Agenda 2030 and the financial burden of early retirements

Citing media reports, the Spartakos Network stated that the entire 1994 graduating class of the Hellenic Army Academy (SSE) will be assessed, with 145 out of approximately 205 officers expected to be retired.

They further highlighted the large number of ageing officers still serving in non-combat corps, particularly in the military health sector, where some have remained since the 1980s.

“Minister Dendias will retire hundreds of colonels at just 52 or 53 years old, granting them pensions equivalent to brigadier general salaries. Meanwhile, doctors, teachers, and other workers toil until 67 for miserable pensions,” Spartakos stated.

The network warns that many of these colonels will appeal to administrative courts, demanding reinstatement as brigadier generals, a move that could result in them ultimately retiring as major generals, further inflating their pensions.

Unfair spending priorities amid crumbling public services

Spartakos has questioned whether the New Democracy government has properly accounted for the financial impact of these large military pensions, at a time when public services remain underfunded:

“Can the state budget sustain these huge pensions? Hospitals are falling apart, elevators collapse due to poor maintenance, and workers are paid disgracefully low pensions, while the military elite is handed early retirement with excessive benefits?”

They further contrasted the privileges of high-ranking officers with the dire conditions faced by conscripted soldiers, who receive just €8.70 per month and are forced to cover the maintenance costs of their units.

Call to action

The Spartakos Network is calling on soldiers, parents, workers, and young people to mobilise against government policies, urging collective action both inside and outside the military:

“We must fight together to defend the rights of conscripts and young workers and block the war machine,” the statement concluded.

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