by Emmanuel Bouhalakis
Once again, Mr. Poul Thomsen of the IMF displayed his utter disregard for sovereign states. Along with the rest of the "troika", he insisted, demanded even, that Greeks in the public sector stop receiving the special bonus for Christmas, Easter and summer leave. This money had not been abolished even in periods of widespread poverty and minimal economic development in Greece. Τhe axing of these bonuses and the further recession their lack will bring to the already battered Greek market including the closing of many small businesses, and the further increase of unemployment, seem totally worthless when the "developed" EU countries will finally breathe a sigh of relief; after all, Greece ought to be punished and bleed enough in order to receive the second bailout package. The devastation of the average Greek must serve as a reminder to other states not to ever follow the same path as Greece has followed, that is, spending much than it ought to.
Basically, the dilemma is simple. Either more than one third of the Greek population must barely make a living but with heavier taxation, or the country will be declared bankrupt in zero time. And this dilemma will be posed to Portugal, Spain, Ireland, Italy and whichever indebted country "dares" to put people before numbers.
Mr. Thomsen may be a bit fed up with some populist politicians in Greece who dare not impose changes that need to be implemented within 10 years in a few months. Although lots of things need to be done to bring sound spending and transparency in Greece and indeed the level of government inadequacy may be high, but for sure the demolition of all notions of welfare state and the further thrusting of the Greek economy into recession will not guarantee the exit from the crisis but indeed its deepening and will not allow any Greek politician to constantly push for measures against a wholly hostile society.
Moreover and more significantly, the animosity against all kinds of "viceroys" and "prefects" from abroad will increase and could reach uncontrollable levels in Greece that could in turn dictate the immediate return to the drachma and a possible exit from the EU. This, of course, may not simply end up as a "common cold" in the EU but as a massive systemic failure that could drive other countries out of the Eurozone as well.
Of course, Mr. Thomsen is neither a historian nor a politician and there may be considerable doubts if he has studied much history. Because if he had, he would have realized that Greece is not in 1830 and there is no king Otto to be crowned and rule the nation without understanding a bit about the people's sensitivities. And Otto died without any glory and away from Greece. So, there is still time for some mind reforms for Mr. Thomsen and all the would-be reformers who gladly sacrifice nations in order to please their "emperors".
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