The definitive abolition of the monarchy was a long-awaited step and the results of the referendum turned out more or less as most observers had expected. At the time of writing, the new constitutional scheme envisaged by the Karamanlis government, has not yet been announced and what sort of president would be the head of state was still a question mark. The Premier did say, however, that the new constitution would reinforce the executive power but that the Government would still be answerable to parliament for its actions.
Whatever happens next on the political scene, one can be more certain than ever before that the will of the people will be heeded, taken into consideration, and complied with. Although it is doubtful that politicians can pinpoint the precise reason for the phenomenon, many of them admit, in private conversations, that they have been taken aback by the high degree of political maturity displayed by the people during the recent elections and the referendum. To this others answer that the Greek people have always been politically mature but that they have been rarely permitted a true expression of their will while subsequent compliance with it has been an unusual event, indeed, in the past century and a half. In this respect the country would appear to be at a turning point in its history and, barring accidents, all should go well with us in the years ahead.
Mr. Karamanlis’ policy statement in parliament covered every aspect of public life and was well received. The coming year is to be one of austerity and I retrenchement. Our economy is to be put back to assure that its growth will continue from 1976 onwards. Greece’s links with the West will be maintained but the government continues to stand firm on its decision to withdraw from the military sector of the North Atlantic Alliance while, at the same time, bilateral agreements covering the status of American military bases and facilities in Greece will be reviewed.
Every effort will be made to secure full membership in the European Economic Community and Greece’s commercial relations with other countries will be developed to the utmost. In this respect, Mr. Karamanlis envisions Greece as an important economic and commercial centre to be used as a bridge between the West and the developing countries of the Middle East. He also promised to streamline and decentralise the administration and achieve a fairer distribution of the national wealth by imposing heavier taxation on high incomes while lightening the tax load on lower income groups. He also promised to increase workers’ wages only insofar as such increases would not lead to inflation.
The general consensus of opinion is that the Greek economy is healthy enough to pick up pace again, if the oil producers do not push up oil prices, and assuming war does not break out in the Middle East and that some credit restrictions are eased. What is required is the opportunity to work undistracted in a climate of political stability. It would seem that the country is now assured of such stability for the next four years, at least — time enough for Mr. Karamanlis to fulfil most, if not all, of his political, social and economic plans.
