PASOK must right past wrongs
The union chiefs of the Public Power Corporation (PPC) have become too accustomed to running the biggest public company in Greece in conjunction with the appointed management. Furthermore, accelerating their action in response to the Finance Ministry’s austerity measures, they appear determined to proceed with extreme measures in order to force the government to meet their demands. The practice of union groups running state businesses is one that dates back to previous Socialist administrations in the 1980s and, unfortunately, has become deeply entrenched. The success of the present administration, and especially of Prime Minister George Papandreou, will therefore to a great degree rest in its ability to break this unhealthy practice and stand up to the increasing pressure of small interest groups. It is ironic but, to a great extent, the present-day PASOK government is being called upon to rectify many of the mistakes made by its predecessors.
