Αρθρο του Γ. Χατζημαρκάκη στην εφημερίδα New Europe με τίτλο: Great Expectations - Greece and the new government

Great Expectations - Greece and the new government

Europe should not repeat the faults of the past: treat Greece as an equal

This may be the last time a ‘Papandreou’ was ever prime minister: The last grandson of the country's political dynasty has left the office and Lucas Papademos, a high profile technocrat with desperately needed skills, is going to take over.

Papademos is an authority on the financial markets and on fiscal policy in general - nobody should underestimate him or the unique position he is in:  to combine intrinsic seriousness with Greek sentiments and a Greek identity at the highest level. Europe should expect him to fight for an investment program parallel to the austerity and debt reduction program that is foreseen.

Lucas Papademos also represents an excellent opportunity to rebuild Greece's political self-esteem. The European partners, as well as many national media throughout Europe did not treat Greece with the ‘brotherhood’ the European Union was meant to represent. They did not see this country, the very cradle of European civilisation and cultural identity as an equal.

The Greek people, the victim of its politicians and its political system, were seen as being solely responsible for the crisis within the Euro Zone - a crisis that had many roots. I already expanded on this subject last week (New Europe, October 30 - November 5). The Greeks, formerly among the most pro-European people within European Union, now react to Europe as a bull to a red rag.

This is why treating Greeks as equals is of paramount importance. Don't talk about them as if only you know what's good for them, while they wait outside of the door, waiting to be called in. This was done many times in the past and proved to be a failed approach. Just have a look at the austerity measures and the adjustment program of the "Troika". It did not work in Greece because it was not tailored to its needs and to its unique situation.

The European partners should therefore offer the new government a constant seat on the negotiation table of the 21st October Summit results (second Greece rescue package). Lucas Papademos can be fully trusted to initiate the right measures needed to get Greece on the right track. He can be expected to concentrate on growth and competitiveness. 

One thing should not be forgotten. For the third time in modern history, the Greek state must be completely re-founded. The revolution of 1821 was the end of the dark age of Greece from the Ottoman oppression. The first Greek politicians, however, gambled their heritage away, despite good approaches available in the midst of a difficult starting position. The second foundation came in 1910, when Eleftherios Venizelos laid the foundations for Greece as a modern state. The third foundation should aim on a society in which everyone can realize his life chances (Lord Dahrendorf), a society in which the politicians are there to care for the people - and not the other way around.

Europe should grant Greece its life chance. Greece is far too important a player in Southern Europe to be ignored. With Papademos, Greece will have a strong voice- and when the time comes, Europe needs to listen.