Greek crisis and a Green way out
The European Council is meeting this Thursday, with Greece and the economic crisis once more high on the agenda. A blinkered austerity focused strategy has held sway since the beginning of the crisis, but it is not too late for us to learn from our mistakes. Green MEP Nikos Chrysogelos has written an accessible analysis of the Greek crisis and put forward a plan for a green way out.
In order to face the crisis, Greek and European institutions, as well as Greek society have to accept part of the blame and reform accordingly. We need well designed policies which will treat the causes of the crisis in a holistic way: Fiscal strength must go hand in hand with the strengthening of social cohesion and solidarity. Social infrastructures must make up for loss of income and a green turn applied to the economy and job creation, especially for young people and the hardest hit.
The punishment of Greece will only result in serious financial and social damage for Greece and the rest of Europe. Greece needs the cooperation and solidarity of its European partners in order to face its own structural problems. The ongoing perpetuation of the structural problems of the Euro-zone instead of the implementation of policies for a more social Europe will only increase euro-scepticism and populism, two of the most serious threats to Europe today.
It also requires the necessary time to ensure the changes and reforms can take place. Policies with a time span of a few months based on budget cuts and wild austerity lead to the destruction of viable economic activity, further deepening the fiscal crisis and creating a vicious cycle plain for all to see.
Taking into account the unsustainable nature of Greece's economic model, Nikos Chrysogelos puts forward a range of necessary polices, from reducing the current account deficit to socially just structural changes. From drastically reducing Greece's armaments costs to tackling corruption at all levels.
The reforms needed to change Greece require a cohesive plan in a very different direction compared to the one implemented today. A plan with society at its core. With the European Council meeting approaching this Thursday, the question must be asked, will we learn from the mistakes of the past, or continue to allow the same austerity focused ideology to lead us down the path to ruin?
