George the... anti-memorandum!

The 53 year old George Papakonstantinou became Minister of Finance on October 7, 2009. Originating by EKON Rigas Fereos, who would have imagine that in the future he would be the "godfather" of the Memorandum by the International Monetary Fund to Greece, which is now celebrating the first four birthday in our country, alongside the miraculous St. George!

Yes, today the IMF in our country reaches his 5 years. Normally he would go to a public kindergarten if he had not already ... repealed it!

Is it random? Former Finance Minister George Papakonstantinou, celebrates his Name day. Along with the birthday of the IMF, which he surely wants to forget, as he will possibly wants to forget the one and a half year of his service in the government of George Papandreou. Why is that?

George Papakonstantinou. Is he the same man who on September 7, 2009, was saying: "It is possible to agree in an agenda based on a wage freeze?". He said it, but obviously he did not believe it, because shortly afterwards he put his signature to initially cut the Easter and Christmas gift by 30 %, holiday pay and allowances of government by 12 %!

But yes, this man, this politician, this minister even on September 8, 2009 believed that: "The worst thing you can do when an economy is in recession, is to freeze the salaries". He said it, so he obviously believed it was right. But what did he do six months after he had said this? Something very simple: transform the 13th and 14th salary into bonuses, up to 1000 Euros in total for all!

The September of 2009 was very productive for spontaneous declarations from the former minister, which were later, had been "devoured" by his..... ambition.

On 29 September 2009 claimed that: "There is no economy that has ever come out of the recession by removing resources from the economy with wage freezes and tax increases. This is a recipe of self-destruct!". He was right. Did he follow his own words? Looking back at the past, we find that the government achieved to collect 1.1 billion Euros from the employees of the state and 1.5 billion Euros from the pensioners. Do not tell me that he "revised" his views for the good of the country. A country is its citizens. A country is its people! So.... "Recipe of self-destruction" as he said.

And then?

And then again George Papakonstantinou was still a minister. In October 2009, namely on 18 October claimed that: "We do not want solutions that depleted on extraordinary contributions. The special contribution of business is for 2010 to 805 million euros, but is enriched with employees and retirees." Few days after the December 10, 2009 claimed that: "We will not go to the IMF, the EU supports us." Apparently someone had "hide" something from him because I cannot imagine that ... he "believed" what he was saying!

In December 2009 the "empire of thoughts" of G. Papakonstantinou, was ruling his mind. On 20 December 2009 stated that: "The reduction in the deficit for 2010 would come equally from reduced costs and increased revenues." That was true. But the revenue growth was not achieved and the deficit was reduced by two thirds by cuts. Cuts? Yes, mostly in salaries and pensions!

The December 20th was a special day for the collected works of Papakonstantinou. It was then that unless the other he stated that: "2010 will be the first year that the result at the end of the year will be better than projected in the budget. We put higher goals. Does anyone have an objection about it? "

"Who will have an objection my lad?", would be the possible answer of a pensioner.

In any case, the January of 2010 signaled a new era for Papakonstantinou. On the 14th of the month he promised "administering growth above inflation in wages not exceeding 2000 Euros per month."

It is the time when the "vertical" and "horizontal" acquire broader "social" and "philosophical" dimensions. And all this from a simple question: vertical or horizontal cuts on wages, Mr. Minister?

Sometime later (19 March 2010) and after the place has boomed by rumors that the IMF is coming, he appears with the statements as the lamb just before twinge ... (yes, this man was Finance Minister): "These are ludicrousness ... We intend to impale the lamb that weekend". Papakonstantinou stated on report of Reuters who described the recourse of Greece in IMF on 21/4/2010, and in the meantime had flared up the discussions with the then "boss" of the IMF Dominique Strauss- Kahn.

A few days later, Papakonstantinou is trying to rebut. On the 28th of the month says: "The role of the IMF is minor and in any case does not imply new measures"! And then followed ... a tsunami of measures!

Nevertheless, he did not quit! A month later argued: "The solution of the International Monetary Fund will be medium detrimental to the image of our country."
One month later was signed the Memorandum!

Papakonstantinou on April 13, 2010 states: "For 2010 we have taken all the steps needed. We will reach the target. We have a new tax. This will yield revenue. It will increase the government's revenue". The first quarter of 2011 occurs revenue shortfall. Why?

Nevertheless the "mutation" Papakonstantinou insisted. In the same month with just one day of the preceding statements, claims: "The public revenue should be increased in a manner to ensure sustainability in the economy and liberalization of development." Who could disagree with him, except of the large multinationals which with tax of 45 % of their profits threaten to leave our country, and the wealthy Greeks who rush to send their money abroad?

The next month, May, this beautiful, historian and revolutionary May, finds George Papakonstantinou advocate of "green growth". Shortly after Labor Day, and specifically on May 3, states that: "we trigger the NSRF and is revised to support green growth." The same month, but a few days later he said: "If necessary to take new measures will mean that I have failed."

He fails, but he does not resign. In contrast, about a month later, declares he is "optimistic" (24/6/2010): "It's the moment we are more optimistic. The most difficult times have gone!" Astounding prediction of the Minister, huh?

Obviously he did not know what was happening. About two months later, namely on August 26, stated: "We must be clear that there is no new memorandum. There are no new steps!" Then two days after the local elections in the margins of the Eurogroup he argued that "Greece intends to take whatever action deemed necessary." Are we kidding ourselves?

On October 31, 2010 this man, George Papakonstantinou says that: "The low pensioners and the unemployed are in high priority to enhance their income." And this is where ... we laugh or cry!
On November 9 continues: "We believe that it is not possible to continue to reduce wages and pensions or increasing taxes."
And then what happened?
And then the VAT increased to 13% and then 23% ...
And next?
Next he thought and tried to convince us that our country will come to market in 2011. On 23 November 2010 he believed that: "It remains our goal to go the markets in 2011 and we do our job."
Yes, they did their job. But what kind of job was this?
Does it matter anymore?
Today we celebrate of St. George. Some are going to wish the former ... anti-memorandum Minister, the same day that the Memorandum will boast about his fourth birthday in our country. Isn't that so, George?