Costas Simitis and the measure of things

Costas Simitis was calved into a governmental household and lived his beingness successful the tumult of Greece’s politics, but helium was so “alien,” so antithetic to different Greek politicians that helium was similar a committee connected which everyone could task his ain desires, fears and bigotry. In the way helium lived, with his actions and affluent legacy, Simitis is the measurement of what this federation tin accomplish, of its strengths and of the difficulties it faces, of what we could execute if we had much politicians who placed statement and the corporate bully supra idiosyncratic interests, who saw the request for advancement alternatively than pursuing an casual ride. In the reactions to his death, we tin measurement the part betwixt those who wish for something amended for the Greeks and those relishing the mania that feeds disconnected an inexhaustible substance of absorption and utopian anger.

We don’t request to database Simitis’ galore accomplishments, nor to underestimate mistakes of his 8 years arsenic premier minister, to judge that helium near Greece (and Cyprus) successful overmuch amended information than helium recovered them. And his government’s achievements were not lone the tangible ones. He showed that with the close speechmaking of reality, with strategy and conscientiousness, without appealing for overseas assistance each the time, we could execute convergence with our partners successful the EU and adjacent assistance signifier European policy. Young Greeks acquired greater self-confidence successful their studies and their careers successful Greece, successful Europe, successful the world. It was a coming of age, virtually and symbolically. 

Often the reactions against Simitis (including successful his PASOK party), betrayed a traditional penchant for casual solutions offered by seductive, paternalistic leaders. For galore of us, it was hard to judge a person who was moderate, hard-working and persistent, who made us look our responsibilities, who adopted institutions to springiness greater powerfulness to each national and to strengthen society. Today, with our satellite threatened by ever much charismatic, autocratic leaders, Simitis is simply a measurement of seriousness and work beyond Greece, too.