A ‘hellish’ decade in the decision-making center of the EU

Margaritis Schinas has no intention of "becoming a monk" now that his long stint in Brussels is over, the former European Commission vice president assures Kathimerini. Indeed, as we chatted at a seaside cafe in his native Thessaloniki, Schinas' electrician popped by for the keys to his centrally located apartment, which he's fixing up for his return.

"I'm a permanent resident of Thessaloniki now. This is the end of a 35-year cycle in Brussels for me. I am, you know, the only official who has worked at every level of the European Commission hierarchy since its inception 70 years ago, starting out at the bottom and reaching the post of vice president in the College of Commissioners. What more could I do there? So, yes, Brussels is finished."

What are his plans going forward?

"Well I'm not going to lock myself away in a monastery and become a monk," he says. "I...