Greek opposition leaders Douro and Konstantopoulou boycott presidential democracy anniversary

Rena Douro, head of SYRIZA's parliamentary group, and Zoe Konstantopoulou, president of the Freedom Movement, sent letters to President Konstantinos Tasoulas announcing they will not attend the July 24 reception at the Presidential Mansion marking the anniversary of the restoration of democracy. Douro criticized the event, saying it is attended by “nostalgists of the junta, far‑right representatives and revisionists,” adding that their presence “only offends the memory of the victims of the dictatorship and the democratic struggle of our people.”

Both leaders said the ceremony fails to provide a substantive reflection on democracy and its institutions. Their refusal marks the first time a SYRIZA leader will skip the ceremony, and the Freedom Movement joins other parties, including Kyriakos Velopoulos and Dimitris Natsios, in abstaining from the event.