President Sakellaropoulou on 53rd anniversary since coup d'etat: Defence of democracy a constant challenge

"We should not forget that nothing can be taken for granted and that the defence of democracy and the institutions is a constant challenge for us all," stated President of the Hellenic Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou in her message for the 53rd anniversary since the April 21, 1967 coup d'etat in Greece.

She also underlined that this becomes even more imperative in times of global crisis and uncertainty, such as the present crisis when, even in the framework of the European Union, some who seek to play on people's sense of nation are targeting democratic rights and freedoms under the guise of protecting citizens.

Sakellaropoulou pointed out the need for Greeks to remember the black pages of their history, as well as their successes, and to learn from the mistakes that led to them, so as not to repeat them, noting the need for consensus and unity between the people and leadership to ensure, finally and irrevocably, that those seeking to undermine the country's democratic institutions will always remain on the margins of history.