Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis voiced his views on cultural and political shifts, including the so-called “woke agenda” and the rise of populism, during a conversation with Enrico Letta, President of the Jacques Delors Institute and former Italian Prime Minister.
The discussion took place on Tuesday, January 21, at an event organized by the Hellenic-American Chamber of Commerce in Athens. The central theme of the event was “The Future of Europe in a Fast-Changing World – Leadership and Global Challenges.”
Mr. Mitsotakis shared his perspective on gender, asserting, “Yes, I happen to believe that there are two genders, male and female.
This is my personal opinion, and it is dictated by biology. Of course, every country has its own culture and particularities, but it is important to be clear.”
He also addressed the influence of the “Donald Trump phenomenon” in the United States, suggesting that the rise of extreme positions within the “woke agenda” contributed to Trump’s political resurgence.
“I believe, and I have commented on this before, that the extreme positions of the ‘woke agenda’ movement in the U.S. caused the pendulum to swing sharply in the opposite direction. It is a natural reaction,” Mr. Mitsotakis said.
While noting the impact of these cultural trends in the United States, Mr. Mitsotakis emphasized that Europe remains distinct.
He remarked that the extreme positions associated with the woke movement, often linked to liberal university campuses in the U.S., have not gained traction in Europe.
“I do not see us having similar problems here that would justify such a reaction. This is primarily an American phenomenon,” the prime minister said.
Turning to Greek-American relations, Mr. Mitsotakis highlighted the strong partnership between the two nations, stating, “Relations between Greece and the United States are better than ever before. We have a five-year defense cooperation agreement, but our relationship extends far beyond defense to include cutting-edge technologies, education, and culture.”
The prime minister also addressed the rise of the far right, acknowledging it as a challenge across Europe and the United States.
However, he pointed out that Greece has been relatively successful in managing this trend. “I believe that in Greece we have managed to limit it.
This, of course, does not mean that there isn’t a significant portion of the population who choose to vote for parties further to the right of New Democracy,” Mr. Mitsotakis concluded.
The event provided a platform for a candid discussion of global political and cultural challenges, with Mr. Mitsotakis offering a perspective rooted in Greece’s unique position in Europe and its strong ties with the United States.