OPINION

Making use of state property

Recent statements by the representatives of Greece?s foreign lenders who suggested that the country would have to sell off 50-billion-euros worth of state assets, including public property, stirred the usual overreactions from many politicians and journalists.

It was rather unfortunate that the comments came from the representatives of the so-called troika instead of from the country?s government. And, yes, the government did handle the issue in a very amateurish manner.

But the essence remains: Do we want to further trim pensions and wages? Or would we rather reduce debt by making use of public property? It is outrageous that this proposal is portrayed as a defeat. At the end of the day, the former airport at the Elliniko has remained unexploited for years; major public utilities have been manipulated by unionists and senior party officials; and public property may be worth a lot on paper, but it has brought few benefits to the people.

Making use of that property could be one final chance for fresh investment, new jobs and much-desired growth.

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