We’re an odd nation, working ourselves right into a lather for a couple of weeks and even months over one scandal or one other – actual or assumed. For that point, the political system, the media and coffee-shop analysts dedicate all their energies to Siemens, then to Novartis after which to some organized crime racket caught on tape by the intelligence providers. Then the noise dies down and the general public is left questioning what simply occurred. Solutions are both by no means given or given with such delay that nobody remembers what the problem was to start with.
The majority of accountability clearly lies with the justice system. Greece should be the one nation on the earth – within the West at the very least – the place it will probably take 10 and even 15 years to analyze and check out a significant case. It’s nothing wanting shameful. The harmless find yourself paying the worth. They’re ashamed to be seen out in public, they’ve hassle discovering work, their anguish is each theoretical and actual as they spend day after day agonizing over whether or not one other postponement or continuance shall be granted.
And when they’re finally exonerated, they’re fortunate to see 10 strains of print someplace within the center pages of a newspaper. The others, the smart guys, bide their time, ready for the chance to care for enterprise when some authorities passes new, favorable legal guidelines. The harmless are frolicked to dry, whereas the responsible who know work the system keep within the shadows and get off.
The media can also be guilty. We not often observe up on main instances, arguing that nobody cares anymore and chasing after the newest massive information gadgets.
One other share of the blame rests with the political system. It has created an infinite quantity of confusion with its legal guidelines on politicians’ immunity from prosecution, to a disastrous diploma.
When there isn’t a institutional filter standing between an nameless accusation and a parliamentary investigation, laws for expedited procedures permits any politician to throw mud at his rivals without charge to himself, with the despicable declare that “somebody, someplace heard that X is concerned on this case.”
The worst half, although, is that on the finish of the day, the general public curiosity isn’t being protected though that’s what courts and politicians are supposed to make sure.
Siemens and Novartis are typical examples. There was an incredible brouhaha and far mudslinging over each instances and a few folks had been discovered responsible of taking bribes. Within the Siemens case, a couple of OTE telecom executives and a few political officers had been convicted. Throughout the preliminary listening to, although, it was discovered that each one the governing events on the time in query took a sure share from each deal, however this was quickly forgotten.
Even worse, of their mania to besmirch their rivals, our flesh pressers forgot to do crucial factor: to hunt an out-of-court settlement with the responsible events that may put cash in public coffers. When such settlements have been instructed most politicians had been cowed by the concept that they’d be accused of being paid off. But Nigeria, america and others managed.
If the Greek justice system isn’t fastened, the nation will stay institutionally unsound, the harmless shall be subjected to tribulations, and society shall be, justifiably, indignant.
Supply: www.ekathimerini.com