Screams, conspiracy theories and a speech reminiscent of the more toxic days of the “upper” and “lower” squares in the party presentation of Maria Karystianou.
If anyone still had any doubts about where the formation attempting to build itself around Maria Karystianou was leading politically, the image of the new party presentation came to dispel them within minutes. Where a “new proposal” for the country was supposed to be presented, in the end shouts, conspiracy theories, hate slogans and a speech reminiscent of the more toxic days of the “upper” and “lower” squares prevailed. Those days when division was dubbed “resistance” and every institution was presented as the enemy of the people.
The climax came when the slogan “200 years the country has been ruled by rayans and corruptors”was heard in public. A phrase that would be more suited to fringe far-right groups or Internet basements full of spouted theories than to a political event that aspires to appear “democratic”. And yet, it was not only heard, but passed almost naturally in the climate of apotheosis and outrage that had been cultivated in the room.
The irony is immense. The same venues that for years accused New Democracy of “toxicity” and “divisiveness” are now openly flirting with a discourse that hints at political obscurantism. With easy enemies, with generalisations, with cries of “traitors” and “corrupters”, with a dangerous mix of anti-systemicism and anger that has been tried before in the country and left only disasters in its wake.
It is no coincidence that the presentation featured faces and audiences that have for years moved in the realm of anti-vaccine absurdity, conspiracy theories and constant political hysteria. The same disparate mob that once cried for hangings, that saw traitors and foreign powers everywhere, now seeks a new political refuge. And it seems to have found it.
Greece has paid dearly for the squares of rage, adventurism and sprayed populism of the past decade. Payed for memoranda, international disrepute, economic collapse and political decline.This is why the image of a new political attempt that breeds the same poison can only cause concern.
For when politics becomes a platform for denunciation, when anger becomes ideology and when hate slogans are dubbed patriotism, then shame is truly shameful.
