On Tuesday morning, Maria Karystianou attempted to extinguish the fire sparked by her statements on abortion, without, however, fully “retracting” what she had said.

Attacking the media, she argues that they “silenced all the institutional issues” she raised, resorting to accusations of distortion of what she said, even though she herself devoted three minutes in her response yesterday to the topic of abortion.

She writes that “no human right is SUBJECT to consultation, is NOT an object of negotiation, nor is it a field for political games, as some try to present,” and more than half of her long post is dedicated to a public dialogue that must take place “on the real social causes that lead thousands of women to this extremely difficult decision.”

The full post by Maria Karysstianou

I waited calmly yesterday until the evening, observing the complete “stripping bare” of the media.

Unfortunately, the majority of the media (with very few exceptions that I must acknowledge) SILENCED ALL THE INSTITUTIONAL ISSUES highlighted in my interview yesterday with Mr. Stravelakis and Mr. Karamitrou, and focused MONOTHEMATICALLY on the untimely question about abortions, which the questioning journalists considered more important in their priorities than the problems plaguing our country, namely the enormous scandals of the Mitsotakis government, the continuous institutional derailment, the extermination of farmers, the high cost of living and impoverishment of citizens, the collapse of health and education, and many other important issues we experience.

My response yesterday on the issue of abortion was PURPOSEFULLY distorted by those serving in an assigned task to deconstruct me and who unscrupulously collaborate in the political contract to assassinate my character.

No human right is SUBJECT to consultation, is NOT an object of negotiation, nor is it a field for political games, as some try to present.

Those who attack me over a multidimensional medical and legal issue, for which the legislator has already provided, do not care about the position of women today, nor about their problems, nor about supporting motherhood, nor about low birth rates, nor about the demographic problem, nor about children’s rights, nor about the family and its survival!
Nor have they thought about why a woman or a couple is led to abortion, let alone about bioethics.

The main goal for them has been and remains to stop, by any means, the intensive “gestation” of a large movement that could change the discussion and place society again at the center of public dialogue and decision-making.

The need for public dialogue, which I referred to, concerns the real social causes that lead thousands of women to this extremely difficult decision: inadequate education of young people, absence of systematic sexual education, limited access to modern contraception methods, and especially gaps in social welfare.

For this reason, the essential dialogue must focus on: creating comprehensive social welfare structures for pregnant women and young mothers, free access to family planning and contraception services, supporting single-parent families, providing allowances and services that allow a woman not to be torn between pregnancy and her work or studies.

The demographic and existential crisis facing the country cannot be addressed by restricting rights, but by a strong social state that offers real choices and genuine support to citizens.

A woman’s freedom becomes meaningful only when accompanied by economic security, access to health care, decent working conditions, and protection of motherhood.

This is the consultation we must open: a discussion on public health conditions, social welfare, and respect for institutions, so that no woman reaches a dead end out of fear, ignorance, or abandonment.

With a sense of responsibility toward women, children, and the future of the country, I believe in a society that will support them through prevention, education, and solidarity, and certainly not through division.

Thank you.