Karamanlis: wiretaps and media control are hitting democracy

Kostas Karamanlis sharply criticized manipulation Media, wiretapspressure on institutions and policies of concessions Turkey.

Former Prime Minister of Greece Kostas Karamanlis spoke at the book launch Konstantinos Arvanithopoulos And Konstantinos Filistouching not only on the international situation, but also on pressing domestic issues: media manipulation, wiretappingtrust in justice and Athens’ policy towards Turkey.

Briefly about the main thing

• Karamanlis stated that the manipulation of information is a blow to democracy.
• He specifically mentioned illegal or formally “legal-looking” wiretaps.
• The former prime minister noted that more and more citizens believe institutions And justice manageable.
• He criticized attempts to discredit dissenters through anonymous publications on the Internet.
• Karamanlis warned that politics “calm waters” with Turkey should not be perceived by Ankara as compliance.

Media, information and democracy

Karamanlis emphasized that the role media and the issue of accurate, impartial information are central to democracy.

“When information serves entrenched interests or becomes a blatant attempt at manipulation, democracy is dealt a blow.” – stated Kostas Karamanlis.

In the Greek political context, these words sound especially harsh. In recent years, the topic of dependence of part of the media on the authorities, large economic groups and state resources has become one of the main reasons for the decline in trust in public information. When a citizen is no longer sure what is journalism and what is political service, the conversation about democracy becomes quite awkward. Although, of course, inconvenience is not the worst problem. It’s scarier when everyone pretends that nothing is happening.

Wiretapping and pressure on institutions

Separately, Karamanlis focused on the topic wiretaps. He said that not only illegal, but also formally covered by law surveillance harms democracy.

“Illegal or formally legal-looking wiretaps also deal a blow to democracy,” – the former prime minister emphasized.

This is a straightforward political statement. Formally, Karamanlis spoke about the crisis of Western democracy in general, but in Greece these words are inevitably perceived through the prism of scandals around ΕΥΠ and topics of surveillance of politicians, journalists and other public figures.

Karamanlis also noted that the most serious blow is the conviction of the majority of citizens that institutionsfirst of all justiceare subject to political influence.

“Perhaps the biggest blow is the growing belief of a large majority of citizens that institutions, especially justice as the basis of a free and democratic society, are being manipulated,” – he said.

When the former prime minister New Democracy talks about such things, this is no longer ordinary criticism of the opposition. This is a serious signal within the ruling political space itself.

Criticism of anonymous attacks

Karamanlis also pointed to the practice of discrediting those who question the official political narrative.

“They easily resort to attempts to belittle and slander those who dare to question their own narrative. Often through controlled but anonymous publications on the Internet,” – said Karamanlis.

In fact, the former prime minister described a mechanism in which critics are not refuted on the merits, but are tried to be discredited through anonymous publications, online campaigns and dependent information channels. This does not strengthen trust in government. On the contrary, it is precisely such methods that enhance anti-system sentimentsabout which he also warned.

The crisis of the West and the new world reality

A significant part of the speech was devoted to changes in the international system. Karamanlis said that the world is moving away from post-war stability and is moving towards a tougher multipolar reality, where power, rather than law, increasingly operates.

According to him, USA retain a leading role, primarily in the military sphere, but are no longer able to impose their will as easily as before. European Unionin turn, was unable to become an independent global player, although it has the resources to do so.

Karamanlis noted that the gap between USA And EU became much deeper than before. Other forces take advantage of this – China, Russia, Iran, Türkiye and other players who are increasingly promoting their own interests.

Ukraine and double standards

Talking about the war in UkraineKaramanlis called the Russian invasion unfair and illegal. At the same time, he added that the previous policy of the collective West was also not flawless, since the West tried in various ways to draw Ukraine into its camp.

According to him, after the change of power in USA the previous line changed dramatically: Washington began rapprochement with Moscow, began to put pressure on Kyiv for the sake of a painful settlement, and the Europeans were not ready for such a turn.

For Karamanlis, this is an example of how quickly international priorities change as major powers reconsider their own interests. In such a situation, Europe looks not like an independent center of power, but like a party that has been accustomed to waiting too long for decisions from Washington.

The EU must become more independent

Karamanlis stated that European Union must understand: the previous era is over. Europe can no longer automatically rely on American military protection and should not expect that the next change of power in the United States will restore the old guarantees.

According to him, the EU must create autonomous defense capabilityindependent of USA And NATO. However, he was skeptical about conversations about defense cooperation with external partners, including UK, Ukraine or Turkeyif this again replaces real European independence.

Türkiye and the policy of “calm waters”

Karamanlis spoke especially harshly about Turkey. He recalled that Ankara has revisionist goals regarding Greececonstantly threatens war and uses force to advance its interests. At the same time, many European partners continue to consider Turkey an important ally.

Separately, he touched upon the topic Cyprus. Karamanlis pointed out the contradiction: the Russian invasion of Ukraine is condemned, sanctions are imposed on Moscow, and Kyiv receives support. But the problem of Cyprus, which has lived with the consequences of the Turkish invasion and occupation for almost half a century, does not receive the same treatment from its allies and partners.

The former prime minister also warned about the promotion of the Turkish doctrine “Blue Motherland”. According to him, if this line is enshrined in law, this will become official confirmation of Turkey’s claims to a significant part of Aegean Sea.

“This leaves no doubt about Turkey’s unacceptable claims to half of the Aegean Sea,” – stated Karamanlis.

Against this background, he questioned the effectiveness of the policy “calm waters”. According to him, the desire to avoid tension is understandable, but if Türkiye perceives such a line as compliance, the cost for Greece may be too high.

Signal to the government

Karamanlis’s speech is important not only for its content, but also for its political addressee. Former prime minister and one of the key figures New Democracy actually raised questions that directly relate to the current government: Media, wiretapping, justice, Türkiye, Cyprus and Europe’s dependence on the United States.

Formally, it was a speech at a book launch. Essentially a political warning. Karamanlis said that democracy weakens not only due to external threats, but also when the government begins to perceive information, institutions and law as tools of its own control.

Editorial comment

Kostas Karamanlis said something that is extremely extreme for the current government uncomfortable to hear: The problem is no longer just about individual scandals, but about a general decline in trust in institutions. If citizens believe that Media, justice and state mechanisms operate under political influence, the damage to democracy becomes systemic.

It is especially important that this criticism came not from the opposition, but from a former prime minister and historical figure New Democracy. It is more difficult to attribute such a position to party fighting or election rhetoric.

The foreign policy bloc is no less important. Karamanlis actually warned: the policy of reducing tensions with Turkey should not turn into a rejection of the strong defense of Greek rights. If Ankara perceives “calm waters” as a weakness, such a policy begins to work against Greece itself.

The main point of the speech is simple: democracy and foreign policy do not rest on beautiful formulations. They require trust, independent institutions, free information and a clear line when it comes to national interests. Everything else is a convenient package for problems that sooner or later come to light anyway.

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