The Anniversary of the Greek War of Independence was commemorated with the traditional military parade in Athens. The event was marked by student protests over the Tempe tragedy, nationalist chants, and the PM's call for "self-awareness and search for truth."

The PM’s message

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, in his speech during the celebrations, emphasized the need for “self-awareness and the search for truth” while also stressing “national unity” and increased military spending for national defense. He reflected on Greece’s journey from the 1821 revolution to today, underscoring that Greeks have achieved great things when united and striving for high goals.

In response to government critics, Mitsotakis stated that distinguishing the truth from the “noise of events” is crucial, particularly in an era dominated by misinformation.

“Today, we are living in exceptionally turbulent times, and many of the certainties we took for granted in recent decades are now being challenged. That is why the path to progress once again comes with very specific conditions,” he said, explaining that these include “economic prosperity, which must not only ensure social cohesion but also strengthen our armed forces to guarantee national independence.”

Student protest and calls for justice

During the parade, student unions, alongside members of MeRA25 and other organizations, staged a demonstration, holding a banner that read: “Spring stopped in Tempe, we will bring it back through our struggles,” referencing the tragic train disaster that shook Greece.

Participants accused the government of attempting to cover up the incident and condemned policies of privatization, which they argue contributed to the tragedy. MeRA25 described it as a “state crime” and vowed to continue the fight for justice, calling for safe and publicly controlled transportation systems.

Backlash over anti-Turkish chants

Tensions rose when a group of naval personnel was recorded shouting nationalist slogans, including “Cyprus is Greek” and insults aimed at Turkey. The incident, which quickly spread on social media, sparked backlash from opposition parties.

SYRIZA condemned the outburst as “unacceptable,” urging an investigation and accountability for those involved. The New Left party also criticized the incident, asserting that such actions “set the country back decades” and called for disciplinary measures against the officers responsible for allowing it to happen.

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