Six in 10 Greeks believe the judiciary is not independent, EU survey finds
A European Commission survey has revealed deep public concerns about the independence and effectiveness of Greece’s justice system, with around six in 10 citizens believing the judiciary is not independent.
The Flash Eurobarometer survey, conducted across all 27 European Union member states, found that 61% of respondents in Greece believe their rights would not be adequately protected by laws and courts if they faced a legal problem.
Concerns over judicial independence and access to justice
The findings point to one of the highest levels of public dissatisfaction with the justice system among EU member states.
Among the main concerns raised by respondents in Greece were the lengthy duration of court proceedings, insufficient safeguards for judicial independence and the perception that court decisions are not always properly enforced.
The results suggest that public confidence has been weakened not only in the independence of the judiciary but also in the effectiveness of the justice system and its ability to protect citizens’ rights.
ABTTF president: “A further warning over the rule of law”
Halit Habip Oğlu, president of the Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF), described the findings as a serious warning about Greece’s institutional structures.
“The results of the Eurobarometer public opinion survey constitute a serious warning to all institutional actors in our country, Greece, particularly the government and the judiciary, and once again confirm the deterioration of the rule of law,” Habip Oğlu said.
He also pointed to several high-profile cases and investigations that have attracted public attention in Greece, arguing that they have contributed to declining confidence in judicial independence.
Among the issues he cited were proceedings related to the Tempi train disaster and alleged illegal phone surveillance, as well as corruption involving the management of EU funds and investigations conducted by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office.
“Democracy cannot exist without an independent judiciary”
Habip Oğlu argued that it was unacceptable for a majority of citizens in Greece to believe that their rights are not adequately protected by laws and courts.
“In a country that repeatedly claims to be the cradle of democracy, it is unacceptable for the majority of the public to believe that their rights are not protected by laws and courts,” he said, adding that democracy cannot be upheld where the judiciary is not independent.
The ABTTF president called on the Greek government to take urgent steps to restore public confidence in the judiciary and strengthen the rule of law, which he described as one of the European Union’s fundamental principles.
“The government must urgently take the necessary steps to restore public trust in the judiciary and re-establish the rule of law, one of the EU’s most fundamental principles, in our country, and listen to the voice of the people,” Habip Oğlu said.
