The resignation of one minister and three deputy ministers obviously cannot atone for the sins of the OPEKEPE.
It is possible that those who resigned have nothing to do with the actions detailed in the case file handed to the Greek Parliament by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. But it allows for a cool-headed investigation of the file’s contents and of who actually is responsible. I imagine, in any case, that that must be what the resignees want.
There is no doubt that our country has a checkered past when it comes to Community subsidies, starting right back with its accession to what was then the EEC. From the Yugoslav-rechristened-Greek corn of the late 1980s through to the phantom produce scams currently in the spotlight.
And Greece has paid for its sins—with fines, prosecutions, and even the occasional minister convicted in the criminal courts.
One would hope that we’ve learned our lesson and that Community subsidies are now handled with the utmost care and diligence.
But that isn’t what the OPEKEPE case file shows. Indeed, quite the opposite. The file shines a light on a culture of wheeling and dealing, of quid pro quo and backroom agreements which does anything but instill a sense of transparency and legitimacy.
Obviously, the shady deals also involve key figures and MPs from various parties. But while they implicate slick professionals and crooks, the main responsibility always lies with the government of the day. And how that divides up among members of the current administration is what this case will determine as it proceeds.
The Prime Minister has already announced several measures and said that more are to follow. I hope so. Because action is so clearly needed; it would be naive to leave the issue to smolder through the summer. And because this is a perfect opportunity for the government to clean up a sector that has clearly strayed from the path of righteousness. Who would deny the administration that chance?
And for the officials who tendered their resignations to prove their innocence before Parliament—and, possibly, the courts. Again, who could deny them that opportunity. If it turns out they weren’t involved (as they claim…), they will be able to return to their affairs of state in good time—and with their reputations intact.
Beyond that, the issue is for justice to be done. And that will not happen unless those responsible for what looks like a multi-million-Euro orgy of misappropriation are not singled out and exposed.
At least those individuals the government and the administration can point the finger at.
Because I fear the real culprits, who are products of greed and easy money and lack any semblance of a social conscience or ethical code, are hardly likely to end up in the dock.
As if handing out subsidies to creatures like that wasn’t bad enough, they were stealing them, too.
