Putting the past behind us

Democracy was restored in Greece 40 years ago and the country owes a debt to Constantine Karamanlis for handling the transition and anchoring the country firmly in the safe port of Europe with wisdom and determination.

Numerous mistakes were made in the decades that followed the fall of the 1967-74 military dictatorship – mistakes that ultimately led to the crisis.

But Greece also achieved a lot in that 40-year period, known as the Metapolitefsi, and this is something we cannot ignore. The quality of life of its citizens was significantly elevated while Greece became a fully democratic country and a part of the core of Europe.

The sins of the Metapolitefsi, such as the dissolution of fundamental institutions, the rise of populism and rampant corruption, continue to cast a shadow over Greek society.

We are now at an important crossroads where we will either heal ourselves of the ills of the past or become a weak nation with no real prospects.