Monarchy’s Legacy Questioned in Greek Citizenship Dispute

The Greek Council of State, the country’s highest administrative court, is today examining a legal challenge concerning the recognition of Greek citizenship for members of the former royal family and their use of the surname “De Grèce.”

The case has reignited debates about the intersection of constitutional law, national identity, and the legacy of the monarchy, abolished in Greece in 1974.

The petitioner, a Greek citizen and university professor, has filed an application to annul decisions by the Minister of Interior that granted citizenship to members of the former royal family under Article 6, Paragraph 5 of Law 2215/1994. The core of the dispute lies in the use of the surname “De Grèce,” which the petitioner argues violates the Greek Constitution. Specifically, Article 4, Paragraph 7 prohibits the granting or recognition of titles of nobility or distinction to Greek citizens, as they are seen as conflicting with the principles of equality and democracy.

According to the petitioner, the surname “De Grèce” implies a connection to aristocratic privilege and the former monarchy, undermining the democratic values enshrined in the Constitution. The case, heard by a seven-member panel of the Council of State’s Fourth Section, with Associate Judge Ch. Evangelou as rapporteur, is expected to set a significant precedent regarding the legal status of the former royal family in Greece.

The court’s decision will determine whether the surname “De Grèce” complies with constitutional standards and whether the citizenship granted to the former royals meets the legal requirements. This high-profile case continues to draw attention to Greece’s complex relationship with its monarchical past, raising questions about identity, equality, and the rule of law in the modern republic.

Source: To Vima