The Mountain Goverment!

"Ορκίζομαι ότι θα εκτελέσω πιστά τα καθήκοντά μου σαν μέλος της Πολιτικής Επιτροπής Εθνικής Απελευθέρωσης, έχοντας σαν γνώμονα το συμφέρον της πατρίδας μου και του ελληνικού λαού, ότι θα αγωνιστώ με αυτοθυσία για την απελευθέρωση της χώρας μου από το ζυγό των κατακτητών, ότι θα υπερασπίζω παντού και πάντοτε τις λαϊκές ελευθερίες και θα είμαι παραστάτης και οδηγός του λαού στον αγώνα για τη λευτεριά του και τα κυριαρχικά του δικαιώματα". 

Viniani Euritanias at 1944, The capital of Free Greece.

It was 10th of March 1944 in Viniani Euritanias (Βίνιανη Ευρυτανίας), a small mountain village in central Greece, when the Political Committee of National Liberation (Πολιτική Επιτροπή Εθνικής Απελευθέρωσης, ΠΕΕΑ) was established. PEEA was the outcome of the massive and heroic struggle of the Greek resistance movement during the period of Axis occupation. Under the control of the provisional government were approx. the 2/3 of the country, which had been already liberated by the resistance organisations of EAM/ELAS. One of the first acts of the government was to prepare and organize national elections for the formation of the National Council. In the elections that took place 23 - 30 of April voted 1.800.000 citizens, including women for the first time in Greek history. 184 representatives from all over the country were elected in the National Council. The first historical session of the council took place in Korisxades (Κορυσχάδες), another village of Euritania region (14 - 27.5. 1944).

Women vote, Free Greece April 1944

General Stefanos Sarafis, military leader of  ELAS attending a meeting of the provisional government. Viniani 1.5.1944.

Euripidis Bakirtzis, President of Mountain government followed by Petros Kokkalis, secretary of Social Welfare. Viniani 1.5.1944.

First session of National Council, Korisxades May 1944 (The sign on the wall writes: Death to Fascism)

National bond issuance, June 1944