After a respite of relative calm, which many associate with Papademos’ premiership and as a result, the Greek public’s raised expectations, unfortunately jeering and violence have emerged once again.

By Aggelos Stagos

In Patras, fascists who consider themselves as veering to the left of the political spectrum took hold of the polls so that elections would not take place on the new higher education law. The other day, the FLASH radio station was stormed into and certain angry individuals condemned the President of the Republic, and other politicians, in Chalkida. Helmet clad hooligans attacked policemen outside the Athens Economic University, in Pangrati, some youths attacked officers of the PASOK party and then there is the story concerning the wife of the Chief of the Fire Force who has been targeted by someone since last summer.

Obviously these events are unrelated, and it is doubtful as to whether we can cite that this ‘provocation’ is emitted from one sole organizational centre. But these are events that have broken any sense of law and order over the course of the last two years and in Athens, have contributed to shutting down businesses and shops in the city centre. What this actually means is that those involved in the violent demonstrations, are merely turning against their fellow citizens ad making their lives all the more difficult.

It would be superfluous here to reiterate that the concept of democracy does not signify a lack of restraint and the complete destruction of everything; unfortunately perceived by many as a concept. Mr. Papoutsis who bears many failures in his post as Minister of the Protection of the Civilian must not allow violence, jeering and occupation to flare up again. Greece must not be allowed to turn into a lawless society because when the issue of crime is under discussion, so-called ‘political crimes’ should also come to the fore. Perhaps the death of three innocent people at Marfin Bank in May 2010 wasn’t a crime then. Besides, we already have much graver problems than witnessing a new wave of lawlessness.