Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
formerly non-political citizens towards revolution). Some longed for a return to the
drachma (the former currency); however, many believe that Greece would still be
saddled with massive debt and a monetary system with absolutely no standing, if this
was the case.
Georgios Papandreou asked the people for a referendum on the EU bailout, then failed
to form a coalition government and stepped down from office. In November 2011, Lucas
Papademos - a former vice president of the European Central Bank - took on the
poisoned chalice of steering Greece's economy and prime ministerial duties. Antonis
Samaras, leader of the New Democracy party, succeeded him the following year and in
June 2012 assembled a coalition with third-placed PASOK and smaller groups to pursue
the austerity program. By now the Greek public was reeling in despair with complete dis-
trust of any political entity, as Athens again saw major strikes aimed at the massive cuts
- 22% off the minimum wage, 15% off pensions and the axing of 15,000 public sector
jobs. Suicide rates in the capital were up by 40%. Also up was support for the far-right
fascist organisation, the Golden Dawn, bringing with them a rising tide of racism aimed
squarely at Greece's immigrant population.
In June 2013, the Hellenic Broadcasting Corp or ERT was temporarily shut down after
70 years of operation, with the government saying it would shave off about 2500 workers
(as part of a cost-cutting drive demanded by Greece's international creditors) before re-
opening it. The closure prompted journalist unions to stage a 24-hour strike in solidarity,
creating a nationwide news blackout. These are indeed brutal times for the average
Greek, with wage cuts of around 30% and up to 17 'new' taxes now crippling monthly
income. The good news is that following the successful implementation of the austerity
drive, the EU and the IMF predicts Greece will finally return to growth in 2014.
TIMELINE
7000- 3000 BC
For 4000 years the early inhabitants of the Greek peninsula live a simple agrarian life, growing
crops and herding animals. Communities with housing and planned streets appear by around
3000 BC.
3000- 1100 BC
The discovery of blending copper and tin into a strong alloy heralds the Bronze Age. Trade gains
traction; increased prosperity sees the birth of the Cycladic, Minoan and Mycenaean civilisa-
tions.
