The kiosk owner who was beaten up, along with his son, by 20 Gypsy gang members because he refused to sit down to be robbed, declared that he would close the kiosk.
In a television appearance, he described the core of the problem that he and several million Greeks are facing: “The problem is chronic, it’s not worth risking my life, the lives of my children, my employees, there’s no point, I’ll do something else.”
Reality has proven that the Mitsotakis government, after its… epic statements about “legality everywhere,” cannot guarantee the safety of a kiosk from the raids of Gypsies, which it leaves unchecked. A tragicomic finale to a propaganda campaign about law and order.
However, the lawlessness of the Roma and the feeling they have acquired that they are allowed to break the law are morbid situations that have plagued the country for decades. Governments, whether for vote-buying or… ideological reasons, are convinced that no matter how serious and multifaceted criminal activity the Gypsies develop, it will not be treated on the terms of normal citizens. The Roma are considered “vulnerable” (in terms of what, I wonder?) and must fall for the soft side.
This distorted perception and bad political handling of things is an extremely quick way to destroy the economy and dismantle the social fabric.
No one can calculate how many businesses, small shops and homes have been closed due to the criminal activity, robberies and murderous attacks of Gypsies, Gypsies, Roma or whatever these groups are called. No one can compensate the victims for the material damage and psychological burden that has been caused to them through no fault of their own. Thus the social contract is violated and the citizens feel that this state is not worth a cent of the outrageous amounts they pay in taxes.
Finally, for those politicians who have forgotten, we are reminded of article 5 (par. 2) of the Constitution of Greece, which states: “All those who are in Greek territory enjoy the absolute protection of their life, honor and freedom, without distinction of nationality, race, language and religious or political beliefs.”
Published in the newspaper “Demokratia”
