You know what? After three years of austerity measures banging our heads every once in a while, I can join Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and proudly announce “the crisis is over”. Almost. Somehow. Somewhere. Now. In the near future. In the far future. It doesn’t matter. The signs of recovery are here. they may be still hidden form the eyes of the vast majority of Greeks. But they are here. If you don’t see them it is because you’re drawn in misery.
OK, there is this legislation under way that will impose taxes even to the waste land plot you own in a remote mountain side.
There is also these scenarios claiming the minimum wages will go down to 430 euro gross per month for full time work in order to combat youth unemployment.
There is also this government plan that will enable tax officers be 24/7 online with bank accounts and check every transaction you make incl credit cards moves. Whether you are suspect for tax evasion or not.
Of course, there is also the problem of the rising of extreme-right Golden Dawn. But our PM is confident that once recession and unemployment are gone, people will not support anymore this party.
For those Grecovery non-believers I can give two examples to make them see the debt-ridden country is moving forward:
– Strawberry producers in Ilia, in the Peloponnese, are seeking to recruit some 4,000Greek fruit pickers, rather than the migrant laborers they usually employ for 25 euro per day (no insurance). This is an excellent news. Too bad the strawberry season is over for this year…
– The government has assigned the highest judicial authorities to implement a fast-track scheme aimed at allowing much-needed investments and infrastructure works to proceed quickly. The fast-track scheme aims to enforce a package of measures passed through Parliament and aimed at removing obstacles to much-needed investments.
Miracles can happen once you’re willing to believe in them.
If you still can’t see the recovery of the Greek economy, you are damned alone in this mass of happy people.
PS What can else could I write about on a sunny though a bit chilly June Sunday?
