GREECE: Thousands of Greeks took to the streets of Athens to voice their opposition to the impending introduction of biometric ID cards, expressing fears that these cards could lead to a surveillance society. The demonstration, attended by an estimated 2,500 people, featured slogans like “No to electronic slavery” and “democracy has referendums, fascism decrees.”
Dionysis Alexopoulos, one of the marchers, voiced concerns about the potential misuse of personal data, stating, “We don’t want our personal data to be used. Perhaps with this new card, they’ll be able to control our access to hospitals or other public places if, for example, we aren’t vaccinated.” Such concerns reflect a broader unease about the implications of biometric identification in daily life.
Another protester, Sofia Kanelopoulou, called for a more democratic decision-making process, saying, “This serious subject should be put to a referendum and not decided undemocratically by the government.” Many demonstrators believe that the government’s decision to implement these ID cards without wider public input raises questions about transparency and individual rights.
The Greek government’s announcement last week regarding the commencement of the procedure for obtaining new identity cards on September 25 was met with scepticism by demonstrators. The government cited Greece’s obligation to comply with European regulations aimed at “strengthening the security” of ID documents as the rationale behind this move. According to a 2019 treaty, all European Union member states are required to issue new biometric cards by 2026.
Despite assurances from Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis that the new cards would not include a chip or a camera, protesters remain wary. Their concerns centre on the potential for increased government surveillance and control over citizens’ access to essential services.
The Greek Orthodox Church has also weighed in on the matter, with Archbishop Ieronymos urging “prudence and wisdom.” He announced that the holy synod, the church’s highest ecclesiastical authority, would be addressing the issue. The significance of the Church’s involvement stems from Greece’s historical ties between religion and identity, as the removal of the mention of religion on Greek identity cards in 2000 led to widespread protests in a country where the Orthodox Church is closely intertwined with the state.
