Military junta falls, Karamanlis back as Prime Minister
| Political |
Updated By: History Editorial Network (HEN)
Published:
4 min read
Following seven years of military dictatorship in Greece, the junta collapsed, allowing for the restoration of democracy. Konstantinos Karamanlis, a prominent Greek politician, returned as Prime Minister to steer the country into a new era.
The military regime under Colonel Georgios Papadopoulos had seized power in a coup in 1967, suspending civil liberties and imposing strict censorship. However, growing opposition from both within and outside Greece eventually led to its downfall. The collapse of the junta came after a failed attempt to overthrow President Phaedon Gizikis in the 'Polytechneion Uprising,' which sparked widespread protests and further destabilized the regime.
With the fall of the military junta, Greece embarked on a path towards democracy once again. Karamanlis, a respected figure who had previously served as Prime Minister from the 1950s to the 1960s, returned from self-imposed exile to lead the country's transition. Under his leadership, Greece focused on rebuilding democratic institutions, restoring civil liberties, and fostering political stability.
Karamanlis' return as Prime Minister marked a turning point in Greece's history, as the country sought to reconcile its past under military rule and move forward as a democratic nation. His government implemented reforms to strengthen democracy, promote human rights, and rebuild international relations. Karamanlis' leadership was instrumental in guiding Greece through a period of political transformation and setting the stage for its integration into the European Community.
The restoration of democracy in Greece and Karamanlis' return as Prime Minister symbolized a triumph of democracy over authoritarianism and laid the foundation for a new chapter in the country's history. It was a momentous occasion that reshaped Greece's political landscape and set the course for its future development.
#Greece #Democracy #Karamanlis #MilitaryJunta #PoliticalTransition

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