By ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΑ (GREEK) TÜRKÇE (TURKISH)
We are at the close of the year 2024 and we are already preparing for what we will see in 2025, and judging by this year’s experience, it will not go very well. One might call it pessimistic, but I won’t blame them because in a way it is.
And to come to the point; this (parliamentary) year could have ended with a victory for society and those forces that oppose injustice and “legal” robbery, but, you see, some people had a different opinion and hadn’t had their last word. So, somehow, the calendar year closes with banking smiles and social gloom, as a principally social proposal fell flat, but not by itself. Some people pushed it.
The proposal to tax the banks’ excess profits was a clear proposal, without ambiguities, without political gimmickry, nothing to wink at the bankers and give a little carrot to citizens and depositors. This is noted because arguments were heard in the House of Representatives last week that gestured towards the ‘vagueness’ or ‘generality’ of the proposal. I believe it would be better to support their vote and not to play guarantors of stability.
In addition, the members of parliament, whose actions define their political position and attitude, should be in parties – in or out of parliament – that openly express what they stand for, or, conversely, those parties that appear to be progressive and authorities of the truth, should clearly state what they are – so that people know what and who they vote for (without, of course, the voters being irresponsible).
The last act in the House of Representatives taught us something extremely important: every elected politician is judged by his or her actions, not by the occasional speech at assemblies, rallies and political galas, or by sterile revolutionary fanfare playing it safe. And something else, it is also important for all those who are politicised beings, that there should be the power, as easily as it is to elevate a politician, just as easily to bring them down from the throne of credibility, solidarity and justice.
History oftentimes repeats itself only as tragedy, however this is more instructive than its repetition as farce. Let us listen carefully to the words of our political representatives, but let us look more closely at their actions, especially where things get tough.
This article was originally published on 17.12.24
