PM defends Unknown Soldier decision

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis connected Monday defended his determination to transfer definite responsibilities for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from the Ministry of Citizen Protection to the Ministry of National Defense, describing the monument arsenic “symbolically bound to the nation’s history.”

The premier curate made the remarks during a gathering with President Konstantinos Tasoulas, reiterating what helium had stated successful a Sunday post. Mitsotakis called for “unity connected the evident and the self-evident” and urged absorption parties “that rushed to put successful revolutionary gymnastics” to support the monument’s character.

Government officials clarified that nationalist bid and information astatine the monument will stay under the authorization of the Ministry of Citizen Protection – and so the Hellenic Police – while attraction and cleaning duties will beryllium assumed by the Defense Ministry.

Although the authorities downplayed immoderate governmental oregon intra-party implications, treatment within governmental circles continues. Some observers person suggested that the determination shifts a delicate contented to Defense Minister Nikos Dendias, though the Defense Ministry has so acold refrained from commenting. The premier curate announced that the applicable authorities outlining the precise part of responsibilities will beryllium submitted to Parliament successful the coming days.

Government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis said that each competent ministries had been oregon would σύντομα beryllium consulted earlier the measurement is tabled this week. Yet, the soundlessness from the Defense Ministry has fueled speculation of imaginable tension betwixt the two ministries.

The determination besides carries governmental undertones. According to reports, the authorities faced unit from blimpish voters disturbed by caller protests and imagery astir the monument. Mitsotakis’ determination was seen arsenic an effort to entreaty to what officials described arsenic the “silent majority.”

Opposition parties sharply criticized the government’s handling of the issue. PASOK authoritative Michalis Katrinis questioned the rationale of the decision, saying, “Does Mr Mitsotakis understand what it means and what implications it has? Maintaining bid successful the halfway of Athens is the occupation of the police.”

The Communist Party (KKE) warned that “the engagement of the Ministry of National Defense – that is, the equipped forces – raises superior questions astir its relation successful narration to fashionable demonstrations.” SYRIZA added that “the monument of the Unknown Soldier belongs to the people,” while the New Left’s Alexis Haritsis called Mitsotakis “the authoritative typical of the astir utmost Trumpism successful Europe.”