In the announcement of his death former King Constantine former prime minister said Antonis Samaras.

Mr. Samaras expresses condolences to the family of the deceased, while noting that “the death of the last king of Greece is not and cannot be political news.” “Not a single ‘political chapter’ has been closed – it has been closed for 49 years. It cannot and must not divide,” he adds, while emphasizing that “democracies do not hush up their past.”

Detailed statement from the former prime minister:

The former king of Greece, Constantine, has passed away.

It is a sacred and long tradition of the Greeks to stand with respect before the death of a person.

And this, in addition to Greek, is also a global cultural tradition.

Especially when it comes to a man who was the constitutional supreme ruler of the country and the head of the armed forces, as well as an Olympic champion who glorified the Greek flag at the international level.

By a referendum, the Greeks put an end to the Basel institution – already in 1974. Since then, he has been judged by the Greek people.

History will judge him…

The death of the last king of Greece is not and cannot be political news. It does not close any “political capital” – it has been closed for 49 years. It cannot and must not be divided. Moreover, he himself accepted the results of the referendum and did not create any political problems.

However, the death of the former supreme ruler – outside the human side – has a symbolic meaning. This shows how the Greeks are opposed to their History. Democracies do not hush up their past.

Only authoritarian regimes tend to “delete photos” and entire pages. The Republic once said that Mitterrand is, after all, the management of symbols.

And Democracy in Greece is not in danger. In each such sad event, we give tests for humanity and culture. My sincere condolences to his family.”