51 per cent of people in Greece complain about democracy deficit

According to an international survey, including Greece, 51 per cent of Greeks complain about the democracy deficit. Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF) President Halit Habipoğlu commented: "The fact that more than half of the people in our country complain about the democracy deficit is a very serious warning to the government."

According to the results of the Democracy Perception Index (DPI), an international survey conducted between February and April with the participation of 63,000 people from 53 countries, including 15 member states of the European Union (EU), 85 per cent of the public on average find democracy important.

Greece ranks first in the survey, where 94 per cent of people think democracy is important, and Greece is described as "the cradle of democracy". In Greece, however, 51 per cent of the population cite a democracy deficit.

For the third year in a row, economic inequality (68 per cent) is perceived as the number one threat to democracy worldwide, followed by corruption (67 per cent) and the influence of global corporations (60 per cent).

The Democracy Perceptions Index (DPI) is the largest annual survey of people's perceptions of democracy, covering 53 countries representing more than 75 per cent of the world's population, and aims to understand how people around the world perceive the current state of democracy in their countries and the major challenges ahead.

ABTTF President Halit Habipoğlu commented: "The fact that more than half of the people in our country complain about the democracy deficit is a very serious warning to the government."

Habipoğlu said, "The recent legal scandals and systematic violation of the rule of law in our country have seriously shaken people's trust in justice, judges and democracy. The legal system in our country has been under the influence of politics more than in recent years, and those who hold the executive power use strategic trials as a means of intimidation for political motives."

Referring to the situation in Western Thrace, Habipoğlu said, "The associations and representatives of our community defending their rights have been subjected to constant pressure and stigmatisation through strategic lawsuits filed against them for years. The fact that two lawsuits have been filed against the Western Thrace Fenerbahce Culture and Sports Association for the cancellation of its registration despite its official registration or the fact that İbrahim Şerif, the Mufti of Komotini elected by the Western Thrace Turks, has been investigated once again in recent months with the allegation of 'usurpation of office' despite the ECtHR's March 2000 judgement against our country on the same issue are just two examples. The government should take the necessary steps to restore the public's confidence in democracy and the legal system in our country without wasting time, and should stop taking refuge behind excuses by taking into account the constructive criticism from Europe and the international arena."