In the spirit of the Christmas and New Year holidays, Stefanos Kasselakis, leader of the SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance, currently on a visit to the United States, shares warm wishes with diaspora Greeks worldwide.
In a statement provided to the main U.S. Greek diaspora publication, the National Herald newspaper, Kasselakis reflected on his return to Greece and his commitment to bridging the identities of a Greek living in Greece and a diaspora Greek. While stressing the need for parliamentary representation for diaspora Greeks, Kasselakis outlines his dedication to fostering communication and unity between the Greek diaspora and the homeland in the coming year.
Below is the Greek opposition leader’s full statement as published:
“I had the honor to return permanently to our homeland in 2023, to represent the main opposition party as its leader. Syriza may not be historically rooted in the Greek diaspora, but its president was raised and nurtured within it, and now I am trying to combine both of these identities: that of the Greek who lives in Greece and the one of the diaspora Greek.
Syriza has always stood in favor of creating parliamentary seats for the Greek diaspora with a direct right of election and not through the state ballot. This is what I also asked Kyriakos Mitsotakis at our meeting: that there be seats in Parliament for any diaspora Greek who wants to represent their community in Greece itself. Unfortunately, New Democracy is not in line with this proposal. This is an injustice for Greeks abroad, which we will continue to highlight.
As of the new year, I will work hard so that communication and unity are maintained between Greek diaspora and Greece. Hellenism comprises all of us, and we must spread our ideals internationally while, at the same time, practice those among ourselves.
Finally, I send my warmest wishes to all Greek women and men for the New Year, in Health, Happiness, and Harmony. Thank you for your trust.”
