Looking out for public safety
Public safety is one of the most important responsibilities of the PASOK government – and, at the same time, one of its greatest challenges – particularly in light of the lingering economic crisis. In this respect, the performance of Prime Minister George Papandreou’s Socialist administration has been quite satisfactory so far, with highlights including the launch of the police’s motorcycle-riding DIAS squad, which has earned a good reputation and record in fighting crime on the streets of the capital, as well as its improved coordination of firefighting efforts. Most of the credit, of course, is due to Citizens’ Protection Minister Michalis Chrysochoidis, who has displayed the requisite organizational skills, professionalism and pragmatic stubbornness. Chrysochoidis provides an example of how a politician can inspire the rest of the state mechanism to take steps in the right direction – in other words, of how a politician can do exactly what the people expect of him or her.
