Greece’s die-hard traditions: outgoing gov’t hire 2,136 public servant before the elections

With three days to go until snap elections, the government has hired more than 2,000 additional civil servants, according to a ruling by the Council of State made public on Thursday.

Of the 2,136 public staff recruited, half are contract workers for the Public Power Corporation (PPC), with hundreds more taking jobs as teachers or municipal staff.

Greek law forbids the recruitment of civil servants in a pre-election period but hirings are possible if they are deemed to fulfill “urgent needs.”

Apart from the 1,015 people being hired on eight-month contracts to work at PPC plants, the decision by the country’s highest administrative court also approves the recruitment of 890 supplementary school teachers as well as staff at several municipalities. (ekathimerini)

PS that’s at least 2,136 votes for Nea Dimokratia and PASOK, plus the votes of the new public servants’ family members … (*smile* or *cry* ?)