Pandemic, Fundamental Rights and Democracy - The Greek Example

Abstract

The Coronavirus pandemic is not only a health, economic and social challenge but a major challenge for national constitutions, international law and the EU legal order as well. More precisely, the pandemic is evolving into a comprehensive challenge to the acquis of modernity, i.e. liberal democracy, human rights and the guarantees of the rule of law, the nation state and its sovereignty, the organization of international society and the role of the United Nations and international organizations, regional cooperation, European integration and solidarity, and the degree of economic development and the “western way of life”. Our analysis will be focused on fundamental rights, while also making some necessary references to the function of liberal democracy institutions.

Keywords: Coronavirus, Pandemic, COVID-19, liberal democracy, human rights, fundamental rights, Greece, European Union,

JEL Classification: I18