Testing Times: Greece's Democracy


















It's a Greek word, you know? Democracy, that is:-)). As a lover of Greece, its people and its culture, it is sad to witness the current demise of this great country. This last couple of days has seen Greece's democracy put to the test. There is now appears a chance that Greece will declare a state of emergency.

Violence has spread rapidly across the country following the shooting dead of a 15 year old protester by a policeman in Athens. Hundreds of shops have been torched and looted in Greece's major cities. Violence has erupted in many cities and the islands of Crete and Corfu have also been affected.

It comes amid a background of youth unemployment, the rising cost of living, stalled pension reforms, and a widening gap between rich and poor. The government, with a thin majority also stands accused of doing very little to help low-income Greeks, whilst at the same time pump priming some 28 billion euros to help the banks - many of whom are privately owned, run by millionaires in a society riddled with corruption.

What future under these circumstances? A future similar to Woolworths perhaps?

My friends Niko and Dimitri, look after yourselves and keep well.

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