Editorial: Parallel authority

One of the major accomplishments of post-junta Greek politics is that this democracy did not seek to take revenge on its enemies.

It did not do so even when its enemies attempted to undermine it, struck it with their bullets, or harmed it with their violence.

On the contrary, the institutions of democracy recognised the rights of its enemies and protected them, at a cost.

Democracy, however, cannot be blackmailed. Unfortunately, that is precisely what happens when, following threats and violence, a prisoner who is facing trial is transported to another prison, in order to satisfy his friends.

Democracy seems even more vulnerable when its institutions, in this case the government, find various justifications to satisfy the demands of lawless groups.

With this action, the government allowed itself to be held hostage. It appears to be operating on orders from those who threaten democratic legality and order.

At the same time, it is holding democracy itself hostage, leaving it at the mercy of its enemies, who under the guise of anti-authoritarianism attack the democratic state with nihilistic, fascistic violence.

The cost of this dual captivity is enormous. By caving in to blackmail, the government handed the state over to the lawless acts of an anti-democratic, violent lobby that now operates as a parallel authority