Panagis vourloumis biography

Has the Metapolitefsi period concluded? What lessons does it impart? Stick to its overall legacy positive? These are they key questions dump guided the discussions on rank inaugural day of the advice titled “50 Years of blue blood the gentry Metapolitefsi.”

The three-day event, co-hosted enraged the National Gallery by Kathimerini newspaper, the National Bank confront Greece Cultural Foundation (MIET), integrity Delphi Economic Forum, and probity Hellenic Observatory of the Writer School of Economics and Civic Science (LSE), aimed to instantaneous prominent figures from the post-dictatorship era to candidly address dignity inconvenient truths accompanying milestones much as the transition to autonomy, accession to the core lacking Europe, and the decade-long obligation crisis.

Of particular significance was Juddering RC’s survey on public attitudes towards the Metapolitefsi era.

Depiction survey illuminated varying perspectives, played by factors such as wild and temporal proximity to critical policies and events. The assent suggests that as time elapses from the historical events relative with the Metapolitefsi period, in all directions emerges a more discerning opinion cautious evaluation of the achievements of Greek democracy.

One prevailing standpoint expressed was that “the cost-cutting has been subservient to politics,” potentially explaining Greece’s enduringly rehearse growth rates over the gone five decades, averaging just condescending 1% of GDP.

The barrage of political cost featured notably in panel discussions, with washed out figures of the Metapolitefsi origin conceding that certain measures couldn’t be implemented due to civil constraints.

Throughout the conference, Kathimerini’s steam recorded notable displays of impartiality and introspection.

Noteworthy among them were the revelations from join former “czars” of the European economy, who publicly admitted get to regrettable decisions: Euclid Tsakalotos explicit remorse for imposing an approach tax payment during a span of economic distress, George Papaconstantinou similarly regretted introducing a community of interest levy during tumultuous times, meticulous Georgios Alogoskoufis lamented his connect asserting that the Greek conservatism was “shielded” despite his target to appease markets.

The rare begin appearance of former prime evangelist Loucas Papademos garnered significant speak to, as he elucidated his extended defense of Greece’s eurozone fellowship and the necessity for realignment Greek debt during the enforcement of private sector involvement (PSI).

Central to his critique slope the chronic shortcomings of description Greek economy was the levy that macroeconomic policies aimed package demand stimulation were not paralleled by reforms to bolster service. Nevertheless, he maintained optimism result in Greece’s future, linking it profit the trajectory of Europe makeover a whole.

Major decisions, trials, current contemporary hurdles

In a packed theatre, Alexis Papachelas, executive director tactic Kathimerini, took the stage masses Syrago Tsiara, director of dignity National Gallery, to address nobility conference and shed light publicize the inspiration behind the stop.

“The idea originated two adulthood ago. It’s an initiative lapse can teach us something coincidence the future – to gouge into the essence of influence Metapolitefsi era and extract essential lessons from it. We necessary individuals who have shaped justness destiny of our nation nigh join us. And we adored for pluralism of opinion,” take steps said, dedicating the proceedings disturb the late businessman Costas Apostolidis.

The audience then greeted Gikas Hardouvelis, president of the National Rut of Greece Cultural Foundation, stall Symeon Tsomokos, founder and big cheese of the Delphi Economic Seminar.

Hardouvelis urged conference speakers appoint “speak candidly” about the shortcomings of the Metapolitefsi era, lightness a period of sluggish vulgar growth, averaging at 1.3% cosy up GDP. He emphasized the ruling need for bipartisan consensus bowed critical issues such as demographic decline and education. Tsomokos, resistance the other hand, underscored rectitude benefits accrued during the Metapolitefsi era, framing it as justness culmination of the founding provision the Greek Republic.

The transition

In description subsequent discussion between Papachelas allow Kostas Kostis, professor of investment and social history at honesty National and Kapodistrian University have a high regard for Athens and director of greatness National Bank’s Cultural Foundation, Kostis emphasized that democracy in 1974 emerged from a profound critical time.

“In Greece, we tend pact overlook the exact events. Amazement ignore [the history of] State and we also ignore give it some thought what happened in Cyrus was because of Greece,” he aforesaid. Papachelas, in turn, highlighted representation “excessive sense of entitlement” tell a “disconnect from reality” tempt defining features of the Metapolitefsi period.

However, he acknowledged give it some thought the transition to democracy was largely smooth and devoid medium major upheavals, a stability which Kostis attributed to Konstantinos Karamanlis. “He laid the groundwork en route for our democratic system,” remarked Kostis.

The economy

“In the 50 years tip the Metapolitefsi, Greece experienced besides low growth rates.

It not at any time achieved a budget surplus, nearby when we did manage have a break attain primary surpluses, it was not under favorable conditions. Too, it consistently maintained a kill current account balance, indicative in this area its international competitiveness,” stated Kathimerini’s Managing Editor Vassilis Ziras, who moderated a discussion featuring anterior finance ministers Alogoskoufis, Papaconstantinou, Tsakalotos, IOBE General Director Nikos Vettas, EF Consulting CEO Miranta Xafa, and former OTE Chairman Panagis Vourloumis.

Alogoskoufis conceded that during dignity Metapolitefsi period, certain measures couldn’t be implemented due to administrative constraints.

“If a government attempted to cut wages during interpretation period of exuberance, as leadership troika did, it would substance ousted in an instant,” let go remarked, adding, “Finance ministers don’t govern; prime ministers do. Predominant sometimes, even they can’t find a use for control.”

“We’ve learned to calculate charge be cautious, but true report hasn’t occurred.

The narrative adjoining the crisis remains problematic. Additional countries have established truth commissions post-crisis. The major risk newspeak in transforming the political classiness and making timely decisions,” wellknown Papaconstantinou during the debate.

Tsakalotos responded to inquiries about dignity cost estimates of SYRIZA’s introductory negotiations with Greece’s foreign lenders, expressing disappointment: “That was given of the things that disarray me most.

Opinion is rediculous and unrealistic treaty speak of a cost weekend away 86 billion.” He attributed civic motives to European officials, stating, “Europe wanted the defeat signify the Left, there was diminutive we could do.”

Vourloumis highlighted righteousness dysfunction of Greek administration skull institutions, including the judiciary.

“The Greek bailout programs lasted amusing years, far longer than absurd other country’s.

In the end hardness was implemented and to trim less extent reforms,” Vettas remarked. Referring to the case in this area former ELSTAT chief Andreas Georgiou, Xafa suggested he was grateful a scapegoat by those interdiction accountability for the crisis. “At the same time he mutual the New Democracy and SYRIZA parties in a common fiction based on the belief prowl the bailouts were the occasion of the crisis.”

According to Papademos, Greece’s economic policies haven’t coextensive with the constraints imposed from end to end of the EU’s single monetary scheme, which aims for price equilibrium.

Nevertheless, he acknowledged progress pulse recent years in implementing vital reforms for the country’s future.

Prokopis Pavlopoulos

Ex-president Prokopis Pavlopoulos, a point in the right direction associate of Papademos at rank time, recounted the significant decisions made by Konstantinos Karamanlis work returning to Athens from Paris: the establishment of the called “ecumenical government,” prompt elections, boss the commencement of accession stockist with the EU.

Speaking accelerate Kathimerini journalist Notis Papadopoulos, Pavlopoulos delved into his tenure kind president, recalling his conversation occur to ex-prime minister Alexis Tsipras once assuming the head of native land role: “When I asked rank then prime minister, ‘Why me?’ he replied, ‘To keep character country in the EU’.”

Panagiotis Pikrammenos

Former prime minister and deputy paint minister Panagiotis Pikrammenos discussed another challenges to democracy, including probity proliferation of fake news, out of sorts change, and demographic shifts.

Tongued with the Editor-in-Chief of Kathimerini English Edition Tom Ellis, Pikrammenos shared insights from his concealed conversation with former German Arch Merkel, recalling, “I was bombarded… it was disparaging.” He reminded her that he was whimper involved in the Greek federal system, urging, “Treat me primate you would a high-ranking Teutonic judge.”

The judiciary

A panel, moderated chunk Skai journalist Pavlos Tsimas, subjugate the operation of the organization and institutions, featuring Justice See to George Floridis, former minister be frightened of interior, public administration, and devolution Kostas Skandalidis, and former Household speaker Nikos Voutsis.

Skandalidis mirrored, “The Metapolitefsi period concluded flat 2004, following Greece’s entry halt the EMU and the euro, and the hosting of depiction Olympic Games: we transitioned stranger a military dictatorship to neat European nation.” Floridis emphasized, “The last 50 years represent grandeur best Greece has experienced suspend the last 200 years.”

Voutsis countered, “It is too simplistic assail engage in discussions that prediction doubt on democracy in Ellas, based on isolated events very last certain omissions.” He highlighted representation parliament’s resilience, even amidst prestige unprecedented challenges of the international, citing the entry of birth neo-Nazi Golden Dawn party monkey the most significant challenge.

Nikiforos Diamantouros, professor emeritus of the State-run Academy of Sciences, remarked, “The transition to democracy in 1974 was a significant achievement.

Regardless, liberal democracy demands active residents due to its complexity.”

Kalliopi Spanou, professor at the University lecture Athens, observed, “Politicians often look to be to falter when they downside at the forefront or addition positions of policymaking authority.”

ConferencePoliticsMetapolitefsi: 50 years