Karystianou: Many well-intentioned people came to my side - ELPIDA is changing, 'cleaning up' and continuing

Maria Karystianou has reaffirmed her dedication to the "ELPIDA" movement, stating that many well-intentioned individuals have joined her cause. She describes the movement's singular vision: a Greece that is free, upright, and stands firm against corruption and impunity. Karystianou shared her initial hesitations about entering politics, having been warned it was a "dirty and unethical" field that "buys souls and consciences." However, she remained steadfast, believing that her own integrity would suffice. She recounts how "pure" volunteers joined their groups, seemingly driven by a shared vision for the homeland and its future. Karystianou emphasized her trust in the people, seeing in their eyes the same pain, clarity, and anxiety she felt. She declared they had become a "family" and believed in the strength of individuals, not those involved in "collusion" or content with mere protest. She placed her faith in "bright people" who are disgusted by corruption and refuse to surrender their lives and futures to the "elite."

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Many well-intentioned people came to my side. To help... purely, they said, and they joined our groups. Allegedly, we were driven by the same vision: the homeland and our children, the future of our country!

Karystianou instructed members to self-organize according to regional needs until the election of new bodies, urging them to work with integrity, respect, and unity, and to embrace citizens. She deliberately avoided imposing "party rules" or appointing "her own people," believing the movement must operate truly freely. She trusted individuals who wept while discussing ideals.

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I trusted and trust the love of the people, because I saw in their eyes the same pain, the same clarity, and the same anxiety as me. We became a 'family'. And I believed, and I believe, in the power of people!

However, Karystianou revealed a subsequent "revelation": she learned of internal power struggles, the trading of candidacies, and clandestine ballot formations. She also discovered instances of citizens being expelled for ideological differences and even blackmail attempts directed at her. She lamented that a few "deceitful" individuals sought to hijack ELPIDA, transform it into "The System," and crush it, employing tactics of "divide and conquer," slander, mudslinging, and accusations. She expressed sorrow that the movement was being manipulated, highlighting the "curse" of division.

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Not those involved in collusion. Not those who are satisfied with simple protest... Not the 'famous' at any cost... I believed in the bright people, in those who were disgusted by collusion and do not give their lives and futures to the elite for free.