For decades, lawlessness was a state of being in Greece, as the privileged got away with large-scale fraud, tax evasion became the norm and kickbacks were the rule.

Greece did not go bankrupt overnight but over the course of decades, when the buildup of lawlessness combined with the mismanagement of the state and the economy reached a zenith from which the country could not hope to recover without help.

Gradually Greece is beginning to resemble other European countries in terms of justice and the standards to which public officials are held. No one here feels it is completely safe to break the law anymore, because they know that the gates of prison are open to those who have stolen and cheated as well as those who have broken their professional code of ethics and conduct.

Though there is a risk of turning a sensible process into a witch hunt, it must not be allowed to lose momentum, not only because it is vital in the battle to purge the political system and the state of graft, but also because it is something society needs desperately.