Hellenic Republic s1

HELLENIC REPUBLIC MINISTRY OF INTERIOR PRESS OFFICE

Athens, March 10 2012

The Minister of Interior, Tassos Giannitsis’ interview in “Imerisia” newspaper with the journalist K. Galanou

1) Are there any dynamics of reforms or is it the threat of a bankruptcy that forced the political system to follow unwillingly, while the society was left hanging in the air?

Implementing targeted reforms with confidence and determination is something different from dragging our feet without believing in what we are doing. In this way we can achieve “so called” reforms with “so- called” results aimed at a “so called” development. Half-hearted actions and questions in abeyance are typical examples of the strong conservatism that permeates social forces, political parties and actors participating in public affairs. Today, we must move forward and break relations with negative situations which cause delays, break the alliance of ignorance, indifference and selfishness; otherwise we will find ourselves wondering why we belong to the alliance of losers. There are many forces which understand the need for action in order to improve future prospects; however, there are other forces which show disdain for all reform efforts, even for the national symbols. Unless we tackle defeatism and dogmatism, the unemployed, the young people will have to pay too high a price; growth will not be achieved and our living standards will not improve.

2) You have the ambiguous privilege of being vindicated, after fruitless attempts to reform the pension system. What must we do to prevent any potential future vindications?

When Odysseus asked to be tied to the mast of his ship, as it passed near the Sirens he was not empty-minded. There is one important lesson learned: when trying to address the main problems we are experiencing, if we become victims of the charm of a spurious social progressivism we shall pay too high a price which is affecting ruthlessly the weakest social realities.

1 3) How will things be after the task undertaken by the Papademos Government? Cooperation or going back to old practices?

Such partnerships are likely to be also needed in the future and they need to be successful. We may go back to the old days; but then we must prepare for many surprises. Political forces must put aside intolerance and reservations and work hard in the light of the public interest.

4) Will you remain in the political scene after the curtain comes down for the Papademos Government?

I have never thought of joining active politics, either now or in the past. Without regard to potential risks, I decided to participate in the current government because last November we experienced dramatic moments. When the curtain comes down for the government it will be time for me to get off the stage.

5) Are you worried about a potential social explosion? Unemployment rises towards one million. No one is convinced that things will get better.

Employment agreements between employers and employees must be concluded to ensure job protection. Employment organizations argued that they did not need any reduction of fees; but they will ultimately benefit from it. So they must make investments and create jobs. The state can provide support.

6) How do you respond to the opposition’s criticism that the government is primarily interested in saving banks and enterprises, dismantling what was considered to be social conquests such as the collective bargaining and the welfare state?

Nothing but fake criticism. When businesses decide to shut down, workers themselves organize protest demonstrations asking from the state to support them. How can we talk about real economy and consider the bankruptcy of the productive capacity of the country? What else must we experience in order to understand the mockery hidden behind the criticism you mentioned. A banking collapse is the worst and greatest fear of an overwhelming majority of people and the end of any hope of development in the near future. Conquests in Greece were dismantled because of realities experienced before the collapse, not after it. The fears of bankruptcy and the crisis worsened the consequences of choices made a long time ago. So it is important to work for long- lasting achievements that will not include elements of self- disruption.

7) Should anti- memorandum forces emerge in the elections as dominant forces, how can such a tough adjustment program be implemented, even by a coalition government with the cooperation of PASOK and Nea Dimokratia?

2 The program agreed upon, as well as any potential changes to it, is a commitment. We can either honor this commitment or decide not to honor it. The choice is ours. However, nobody in Greece seems willing to pay too high a price for a negative choice. Of course, we shall experience a tough reality when implementing the program even with the support of Europe. Nevertheless our reality will be even worse without the program and the European support. Regardless of the election results, a medium term program must enjoy support from society. There is a desperate need for hope, positive prospects and a sense of justice to be offered by the political forces which will govern the country. We need to step back from the growth model of lotus- eaters. Prospects are more favorable now compared to four months ago. In a few weeks, in a few months greater levels of optimism may be observed.

8) You have talked about the need of a national strategy that will go beyond the Troika’s requirements. Can you be more specific?

Today the national strategy must focus on the national problem; highlight the ways to achieve the development goals by engaging the parties in power. A development process requires absolute emphasis on investment, modernization of public administration, and fight against all forms of tax evasion. It needs coherent policies for employment, competitiveness, education, productivity, technologies, energy, tourism and many changes which, however, are strongly resisted.

9) Expectations have grown that the election of the French socialist candidate Francois Hollande in the presidency will lead the EU to an improved social environment. Do you share these expectations?

I would agree that the socialist forces in France or Germany would put greater emphasis on the European dimension of the crisis. However, I am not sure about that. As far as Greece is concerned, until we move the economy back to equilibrium, policy differentiation because of changes in the European scene will be marginal. Successfully implemented adjustment policies with satisfactory achievements will allow changes in our partners’ attitudes. The more we perform strongly as a country, based on our own forces, the more we strengthen our position in the European system and the wider region, regardless of who is in power and where. We must break the obsession prevailing in Greece since the Revolution of 1821 or the Orlov Revolt, according to which friendly foreign forces will undertake to play the role of support providers; then again we denounce dependencies on the markets, submission and subjection.