Androulakis at Bozcaada: Ultra‑right discourse, socialist label?
Andrulakis, who claims to be leftist but speaks in the language of the extreme right at every opportunity, which Hellenistic agenda is he a voluntary missionary of?
“Hellenism” ritual in Bozcaada: Extreme right-wing rhetoric with a leftist mask
The opening ceremony of the restored Kimisis Theodoku Church in Bozcaada turned into a political show with the statements of PASOK-KINAL (Movement for Change) leader Nikos Andrulakis. Andrulakis, known with a leftist identity, attracted reactions with the ultra-nationalist expressions, Hellenism rhetoric, and implied remarks towards Türkiye he used in his speech in Bozcaada.
According to canakkaledemokrat.com, the opening ceremony of the church, restored by the Athens-based Athanasios & Marina Martinos Foundation (AMMF), was combined with the Greek Orthodox ritual held at Bozcaada Ayazma Monastery within the scope of Saint Paraskevi day. The ritual was led by the Greek Patriarch Bartholomeos. Andrulakis’s participation, known for his statements directed at Turkey, turned the ceremony’s spiritual dimension into a political scene that overshadowed it.
Andrulakis’s "Hellenism" speech: A new church is not enough, a school should be opened too
Speaking at the ceremony in Bozcaada, Andrulakis spoke almost like an extreme right leader with these words:
“Nothing disappears, neither memory, nor history, nor people, nor Hellenism. An island where thousands of Greeks lived even after the Treaty of Lausanne. Today only a few remain. But through collective work, we can prove that nothing has been erased, neither memory, nor history, nor people, nor Hellenism. Next time we come, we should come for a new school.”
Nikos Andrulakis, who presents himself as a “leftist” figure as the leader of PASOK, a social democratic party in Greece, received political criticism for his praise of “Hellenism expansionism” at such a ceremony and for sending a message of ownership to Türkiye. According to many commentators, Androulakis removes the democratic mask he wears in the European Parliament at Patriarchate ceremonies and speaks with almost “Hitler-like” historical obsessions.
Joint message from the Greek Patriarchate and Greek diplomats: Claim of ownership in Türkiye
Besides the Greek Patriarch Bartholomeos, the ceremony was attended by Greece’s Istanbul Consul General Konstantinos Koutras, General Secretary of the Greek Parliament’s Orthodoxy Council Maximos Charakopoulos, and other clergymen. Representatives from Greece and Europe loudly voiced “Hellenistic territorial claims” within Türkiye’s sovereign area at the ceremony.
“Those who do not recognize the elected Mufti in their own country set up ritual scenes in Türkiye”
In the West Thrace Turkish Minority public opinion, sensible compatriots reacted to Andrulakis’s remarks in Bozcaada with the following evaluation:
“A political structure that does not recognize our elected muftis and manages our mosques with appointed officials dares to claim rights on behalf of religious minorities in Türkiye. This is not only double standards but a diplomatic provocation.”
Open support for FETÖ, systematic denial of Turkish identity
As remembered, Nikos Andrulakis attracted attention with his statements preparing political and diplomatic ground in Greece for FETÖ fugitives. Moreover, his denial of the Turkish identity of the West Thrace Turkish Minority and his advocacy of oppressive policies against the Turkish community in Europe make him not a leftist leader but a figure carrying a sketch of Megali Idea in his shirt pocket.
As Millet Newspaper, we ask:
Those who do not grant religious freedom to minorities in their own country, what representation do they claim in Türkiye?
Andrulakis, who claims to be leftist but speaks in the language of the extreme right at every opportunity, which Hellenistic agenda is he a voluntary missionary of?
C.Ö.
