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The new Cabinet. From Right to Left: Evangelos Venizelos,
Minister of Defence; Giannis Ragousis, Minister of Interior;
George Papandreou, Prime Minister; Theodore Pangalos,
Vice-President. (Athens News Agency).
A Greek proverb says that "the good day can be seen from the morning". In Politics, of course, this isn't always true. Especially for new governments, no one can evaluate them if they haven't previously completed their first circle of presence in country's wheel - if they do not have a legitimate margin of time to make practice their engagements. In the case of George Papandreou's new leadership there is a positive beginning. Three initiatives of the newly elected Prime Minister gave the stain of a new, interesting, philosophy of governance:
Firstly, Mr.Papandreou implemented his first obligation for a smaller and more flexible Cabinet. The number of Ministers has been significantly decreased, while the new government is consisted by mostly young and politically incorruptible persons who seem to be highly trusted by the Prime Minister. That renewal of persons, even if some may regard it as a "political experiment", consist a daring innovation which obviously creates high expectations. New persons, new ideas; a new philosophy of administration. Something which apparently must be proved in practice as well as judged by its results.
Secondly, the proposal of Prime Minister to the "Ecologists-Greens" party so that they undertake the newly founded Ministry of Environment constituted a pleasant surprise. A rational proposition to those who claim to be the experts of a neuralgic governmental sector in order to take office at the respective Ministry. The negative response of the ecologist party, even if it's absolutely respected, was indeed an unpleasant surprise. Nevertheless, the fact that, for first time in Greece, there is a Ministry with exclusive subject-matter the environment and climate changes is a significant issue by itself. It seems that the so-called "ecology issues" are entering the governmental - and therefore the Prime Ministerial - agenda.
Thirdly, the decision for the abolition of the Ministry of Macedonia-Thrace was a proper action. Being more like a show-case rather than a governmental body with actual powers and initiatives, the Ministry had nothing to offer to Thessaloniki apart from it's "decorative" presense. On the other hand, the establishment of two deputy Ministerial positions (Economics and Decentralisation) in the capital of Macedonia gives the point for region's essential upgrade - within the frame of a gradual endistancement from the replete Athens-based Greek state.
The above initiatives of Premier Mr.Papandreou consisted the premiere of his governmental service. But in politics, like in theatre, the performance can be judged after the drop-curtain. Now the bet for the new Greek government is to meet the high expectations derived from it's positive and optimistic beginning. Time will tell.
Originally published in Phantis.com.
