March 28, 2024

News Cymru

Two sides to every headline

Greek Government Arrests Key Trade Union Leader

In an unprecedented step by a western government, the police have arrested the leader of one of Greece’s main trade unions, something which has not be seen in Greece since the military junta of the 60s & 70s.

The grounds for the arrest is the alleged disruption of the issuing of disconnection notices of electricity customers who have not paid their property tax.

The actions of the Greek government in this case are setting worrying precedents for democracy in the European Union.

The Greek government is bypassing the rule of law and is violently attacking the Greek population by cutting of electricity without first seeking permission from the courts.

The trade union leader and other union officials are currently under arrest and awaiting trial.

Much like the taxi driver strike I have a feeling that if this case goes to a jury of their peers then the verdict will be “not guilty”.

If the citizens believe a law is unfair then the law in invalid.

If the Greek government insists of pursuing their course of action against the desires of the people and against the ruling of the courts it sets a worrying precedent as to the lengths European governments are prepared to go in the name of bailing out the banks.

The Greek government is creating a huge tinder box with their continued and blatant attacks on Greek citizens.

When you cut someones electricity off they do not have much left to lose, not to mention it might cause them to leave the house and start talking to others about politics.

There is only one way this issue of the property tax being combined with the electricity bill is going to end and it is not pretty if the government does not repeal it. It has echoes of the British Poll Tax riots about it except the Greeks are putting up much less resistance.

It is only recently that orders having been issued to cut off electricity. If the termination of supply orders effect a significant minority there will be social unrest, that is an absolute certainty.

The Greek government are playing a very dangerous game which has the potential to cause the disintegration of law and order in parts of town and cities if not regions as a whole.

For laws to be respected they have to be fair. Laws are designed to protect people’s freedom, when the law is abused by the government people will lose respect for the law and the law is the fundamental thing that holds together societies, not governments.

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