Democracy is only meaningful when there is respect for human and minority rights and it is applied in full to different groups and communities living in the country. We regret that this lack of understanding is dominates our country Greece.

The election law, sometimes accompanied by discussion and accusations, has been changed. It is no doubt now that the 3% electoral threshold an important part in the country’s politics and election law was not changed because of the Western Thrace Muslim Turkish Minority. In fact, the Prime Minister during talks with certain political leaders clearly expressed that ‘it is not possible to reduce the 3% threshold because of the minority votes in Western Thrace’, this was clearly expressed in the press and personally by some political leaders in parliament. The 3% threshold for representation in parliament for political parties is also applied to independent MP candidates and has not been removed. This removes from all citizens the right to elect independent MPs and literally means that the exercise of this right is forbidden.
We consider it disrespectful to democracy and to the nations will democratic have not been made to the electoral law by showing the Western Thrace Turkish Minority, who have not departed from democracy and law, as a danger and threat. As the FEP Party we condemn that during discussion in parliament regarding the law by political party leaders and as reflected in the press and to the public that voters of the Western Thrace Muslim Turkish Minority have been evaluated as a potential threat to the country. We emphasise our astonishment and disappointment about this situation. Such behaviour is far from political maturity, far from ensuring equality among citizens and far from making contributions to the peaceful living of different groups. Political leaders should give up on showing as a target and on seeing the Western Thrace Turkish Minority or other groups as a danger and threat to the country.

It is a clear necessity that our country Greece needs a fair electoral law which guarantees equal representation of all segments of society. Furthermore, during this process all past practices and anti-democratic measures need to be disposed.

Unfortunately a democratic, respectful to human rights and minority rights electoral law need, purified of fear, virtual threats and threat perceptions, has not been answered to. We want to believe that the country’s politicians and administrators will find the necessary political courage and willpower to change this negative and undemocratic status.

FEP Party