Political interference
The SYRIZA-Independent Greeks coalition is beginning to behave in a quasi-authoritarian manner.
The way in which the government sacked Katerina Savvaidou, general secretary for public revenues, is not consistent with the institution’s independence and points to a clear intention to politically manipulate the country’s inspection mechanisms. Independent authorities and heads of public utility companies with no party affiliation have come in for tough criticism.
New legislation regarding the media removes power from independent authorities and passes it on to ministers. In the justice department, there have been appointments and omissions which have raised considerable questions.
All the above demonstrate that the government is resorting to the kind of approach reminiscent of past decades. Instead of keeping key institutions free from partisan influence, these seem to be suffocating under government control.
