...Despite the efforts for modernization of the public sector especially after 1996
the major problems weren't solved: tax evasion, financial mismanagement and debt accumulation.
The 'Metapolitefsi' reached its peak in 2004 when Greece organized the glorious but costly Olympic Games in Athens.
The world admired the capability of such a small nation to successfully organize such an important event of international importance. But the truth is that Greece had actually swept all the dirt under the carpet. During the last five years, the center-right government of Costas Karamanlis failed to capitalize the positive effects of the Olympiad. On the contrary,
the Greek political leadership completely lost its contact with people and their needs, sinking into numerous scandals.
However, we shouldn't exclusively scapegoat the Greek socio-political system for today's failure Europe has its own responsibilities. Contrary to its fellow EU members Greece lies in a historically and diplomatically troubled area.
Being a neighbor of traditionally trouble-making governments, such as the ones in Ankara and Skopje, Greece spent billions of drachmas and euros during the 'Metapolitefsi' for military equipment. Although a member of the EU since 1980, Athens never gained any concrete guarantee from the EU regarding the security of its eastern and northern borders the failure for the creation of a common Foreign and Security Policy within Europe forced Greece to buy preposterously expensive weaponry for defense purposes. Its therefore not an exaggeration to say that some of those who today blame "Greek corruption" have contributed to this situation, directly or indirectly.
American Chronicle | The Tragic End of Metapolitefsi
