During the last decade, popular trust in the European project is going records low, alongside decrease in living standards and raising poverty for large swaths of the population.
The institutional responses to the financial and then economic crisis
The institutional responses to the financial and then economic crisis, based on austerity for the poor and middle class, resulted in raising inequalities, limiting solidarity and denying the primacy of effective access to Human rights.
Regarding more specifically the Greek situation, five years of austerity have exposed large part of the population to poverty and high level of social exclusion through unemployment, shrinking revenues and deprivation of access to basic rights such as health care, education and housing.
A concept void of content for European leaders
In this context, it is alarming to notice how democracy turned into a concept void of content for European leaders, how radical seems to be the chance given to Greek people to decide on their own future, in the light of recent declaration of “treason” by European Commission President, referring to the breakdown of bailout negotiations by the Greek government.
It is indeed intolerable that Mr. Junker, who claims to speak on a political mandate, patronises Greek people, and treat their democratic aspiration for dignity of “national egoism” and “suicidal”. Today, we are living crucial moments in the European Union.
What means equality and solidarity
What means equality and solidarity when Europe has to address the financial and economic situation of Greece and the social situation of the people living in Greece?
What means solidarity when Europe has to address the consequence of migrations coming from countries hit by war, poverty and dictatorship?
What means the European project when European leaders are obviously tackling those issues against its claimed values and goals?
European Citizens
In this context of turmoil, it is difficult to address all issues with a “one size fits all” approach. The Greek government made a decision: ask people to vote on Institutions’ requirements in exchange for releasing financial means Greece needs for the repayments of its loans.
For us, European citizens, this vote is about Democracy, about Equality, about Solidarity.
This is not just a conflict between Greece and Europe. Our European common future is at stake !
Stand with Greece and SIGN here a petition for democracy and social justice!