Part of the crowds at a well attended meeting at the amphitheatre - Vamos
As the UK tries to come to terms with the new way of doing politics, British people who have brought property in Crete along with other non - Greek homeowners and residents are being asked to become involved in changing the political structure – particularly at a local level.
A fantastically well attended meeting was held involving two local young Cretan men who have started to galvanise the non-Greeks in the area to help implement changes to the local political scene.
The new Tory/Lib Dem coalition in the UK is being trumpeted as the beginning of the end of Tribal Politics in the UK. ‘Tribal’ doesn’t come close to describing the way Politicians and their parties behave in Greece.
Like the UK used to be, Greece is effectively a 2 party system. Families (not just individuals) are usually devoted to one party; either the left tending PASOK (Pan-Hellenic Socialist movement) or the right tending ND (New Democracy). In addition, there are a number of seats held by other groups including the Communists who hold about 5% of parliamentary seats.
The present PASOK led Government is trying to rid Greece of its completely justified title of ‘Corruption Champion’ of the EU. Whilst we all wish PASOK success with their task, hopes don’t run too high – based on past experiences and our familiarity with the problem.
Greece is currently becoming quite divided by the current financial crisis. As a result, some of the more ‘aware’ younger people are looking for ways to change the old / current system.
Sifis Stavroulakis and Nikos Kokolakis are part of the new generation of young people on Crete who want to change the way things are done. They are young professionals with families who are aware of the opportunity that new technology offers in terms of communication.
Crete is essentially a mass of little villages. However, many people from Northern Europe live in the villages and unlike their Cretan neighbours, nearly all of them have Computers with access to the Internet and also telephones. They use them to ‘keep in touch’ with the folks back home – and much more. They have access to communal web sites, social networking and of course email.
Initially, Sifis and Nikos had talked and subsequently agreed that by working together they might invoke some changes and ‘shake up’ the complacent, much older, politicians who dominate and control local government in this (and many other) area. The incumbents of course see no need to change the way things are done.
When they discussed this idea with their families, at first, they got little support – just protestations of shock that they could even consider working with someone from a family of a different political persuasion.
One family are ‘devout’ PASOK supporters, the other with ND. I assume it’s a little like the Israeli boy bringing home his Palestinian ‘bride to be’ – perhaps an exaggeration. Ultimately they have since got their families support and that of others as they try and start a movement to change the way things are done in local government on Crete.
Since those early days, things have moved on. They contacted an English resident – Helen Papadogianni – who married a Cretan man long ago and has lived in the area for more than 25 years.Through her contacts, Helen sent out news of a meeting to communicate the need to involve ‘incomers’ in the forthcoming elections. Word spread amongst the non-Greeks, mainly via email and telephone - and a public meeting was held on 27th May 2010.
Because it is the most ‘common’ shared language of the mainly European residents, the meeting was held in English. It is believed that for its size, this small area has one of the most diverse populations in the world! (See separate document)
The meeting was held in the amphitheatre at Vamos in the Apokoronas area of Crete.
The intention was that Sifis, Nikos, Helen and a few like minded young professionals were going to address a group of non-Greeks and attempt to explain the changes in the way local government will work in Greece next year. This is when the ‘Kallikrates’ plan to de-centralise government is implemented. When this happens, local politics and politicians will have far more power and influence than they have now.
The most amazing thing as far as Nikos and Sifis were concerned, was the ‘turn out’. The amphitheatre at Vamos was full and people were standing all around the area. More than 500 non-Greeks had arrived to listen to what they might be able to do remove their frustrations and to help change local politics.
To put the numbers in to context, Vamos is currently the head of the local municipality which in the 2001 census had less than 800 permanent residents. An average village in this area has about 100 permanent residents – frequently less.
Nikos and Sifis both spoke eloquently, Sifis spoke first.
The incomers were told that – just like Nick Cleggs’ wife in the UK – because they either lived here or had property here, they could vote in local and European elections, but unless they were Greek citizens they could not vote in National elections.
Sifis stressed that the most important thing the ‘non-Greeks’ could do was to register to vote. Sifis stated ‘You are part of our community, you have a voice and you should use it. Who you vote for is less important. You have a moral responsibility to be involved in the future of this area.’
Nikos spoke next and said that he, like Sifis was there because of his fears for his young family and what the future might bring if there were no changes in the way things were done.
He said ‘This is a crucial meeting for all our futures in Apokoronas. This has to be a team effort, there are many problems to be solved and the future is ours and our children’s. The best way to deal with the future is to create it’.
Nikos, Sifis and others from their group were enthused about the new changes, speaking of more transparency and communication with the local people. The non – Greeks surprised themselves with both their numbers and the realisation that they do have a voice and they can be instrumental in bringing much needed political change to the area where they have chosen to live.
Local elections are to be held this September. More meetings are being arranged and Sifis, Nikos, Helen and others will, if necessary, help the non Greeks to register for voting in the next few weeks – before the deadline of June 30th 2010.
The hope amongst the people who attended and those who have since heard about the meeting, is that Nikos and Sifis and other like minded people will register as Independent candidates in the area and then they may be able to use their voice – and their widespread support - to bring about much needed changes.
Since the meeting mentioned above, some of the first non-Greeks have started to enrol to vote. Already more than 100 non Greeks have already registered to vote in and around the area of Giorgioupolis. Similar numbers have since registered at Vamos. However, there are early indications that at least one of the local mayors has not exactly warmed to the idea of change and seems to be less than helpful in dealing with ‘foreigners’ registering to vote.
A fantastically well attended meeting was held involving two local young Cretan men who have started to galvanise the non-Greeks in the area to help implement changes to the local political scene.
The new Tory/Lib Dem coalition in the UK is being trumpeted as the beginning of the end of Tribal Politics in the UK. ‘Tribal’ doesn’t come close to describing the way Politicians and their parties behave in Greece.
Like the UK used to be, Greece is effectively a 2 party system. Families (not just individuals) are usually devoted to one party; either the left tending PASOK (Pan-Hellenic Socialist movement) or the right tending ND (New Democracy). In addition, there are a number of seats held by other groups including the Communists who hold about 5% of parliamentary seats.
The present PASOK led Government is trying to rid Greece of its completely justified title of ‘Corruption Champion’ of the EU. Whilst we all wish PASOK success with their task, hopes don’t run too high – based on past experiences and our familiarity with the problem.
Greece is currently becoming quite divided by the current financial crisis. As a result, some of the more ‘aware’ younger people are looking for ways to change the old / current system.
Sifis Stavroulakis and Nikos Kokolakis are part of the new generation of young people on Crete who want to change the way things are done. They are young professionals with families who are aware of the opportunity that new technology offers in terms of communication.
Crete is essentially a mass of little villages. However, many people from Northern Europe live in the villages and unlike their Cretan neighbours, nearly all of them have Computers with access to the Internet and also telephones. They use them to ‘keep in touch’ with the folks back home – and much more. They have access to communal web sites, social networking and of course email.
Initially, Sifis and Nikos had talked and subsequently agreed that by working together they might invoke some changes and ‘shake up’ the complacent, much older, politicians who dominate and control local government in this (and many other) area. The incumbents of course see no need to change the way things are done.
When they discussed this idea with their families, at first, they got little support – just protestations of shock that they could even consider working with someone from a family of a different political persuasion.
One family are ‘devout’ PASOK supporters, the other with ND. I assume it’s a little like the Israeli boy bringing home his Palestinian ‘bride to be’ – perhaps an exaggeration. Ultimately they have since got their families support and that of others as they try and start a movement to change the way things are done in local government on Crete.
Since those early days, things have moved on. They contacted an English resident – Helen Papadogianni – who married a Cretan man long ago and has lived in the area for more than 25 years.Through her contacts, Helen sent out news of a meeting to communicate the need to involve ‘incomers’ in the forthcoming elections. Word spread amongst the non-Greeks, mainly via email and telephone - and a public meeting was held on 27th May 2010.
Because it is the most ‘common’ shared language of the mainly European residents, the meeting was held in English. It is believed that for its size, this small area has one of the most diverse populations in the world! (See separate document)
The meeting was held in the amphitheatre at Vamos in the Apokoronas area of Crete.
The intention was that Sifis, Nikos, Helen and a few like minded young professionals were going to address a group of non-Greeks and attempt to explain the changes in the way local government will work in Greece next year. This is when the ‘Kallikrates’ plan to de-centralise government is implemented. When this happens, local politics and politicians will have far more power and influence than they have now.
The most amazing thing as far as Nikos and Sifis were concerned, was the ‘turn out’. The amphitheatre at Vamos was full and people were standing all around the area. More than 500 non-Greeks had arrived to listen to what they might be able to do remove their frustrations and to help change local politics.
To put the numbers in to context, Vamos is currently the head of the local municipality which in the 2001 census had less than 800 permanent residents. An average village in this area has about 100 permanent residents – frequently less.
Nikos and Sifis both spoke eloquently, Sifis spoke first.
The incomers were told that – just like Nick Cleggs’ wife in the UK – because they either lived here or had property here, they could vote in local and European elections, but unless they were Greek citizens they could not vote in National elections.
Sifis stressed that the most important thing the ‘non-Greeks’ could do was to register to vote. Sifis stated ‘You are part of our community, you have a voice and you should use it. Who you vote for is less important. You have a moral responsibility to be involved in the future of this area.’
Nikos spoke next and said that he, like Sifis was there because of his fears for his young family and what the future might bring if there were no changes in the way things were done.
He said ‘This is a crucial meeting for all our futures in Apokoronas. This has to be a team effort, there are many problems to be solved and the future is ours and our children’s. The best way to deal with the future is to create it’.
Nikos, Sifis and others from their group were enthused about the new changes, speaking of more transparency and communication with the local people. The non – Greeks surprised themselves with both their numbers and the realisation that they do have a voice and they can be instrumental in bringing much needed political change to the area where they have chosen to live.
Local elections are to be held this September. More meetings are being arranged and Sifis, Nikos, Helen and others will, if necessary, help the non Greeks to register for voting in the next few weeks – before the deadline of June 30th 2010.
The hope amongst the people who attended and those who have since heard about the meeting, is that Nikos and Sifis and other like minded people will register as Independent candidates in the area and then they may be able to use their voice – and their widespread support - to bring about much needed changes.
Since the meeting mentioned above, some of the first non-Greeks have started to enrol to vote. Already more than 100 non Greeks have already registered to vote in and around the area of Giorgioupolis. Similar numbers have since registered at Vamos. However, there are early indications that at least one of the local mayors has not exactly warmed to the idea of change and seems to be less than helpful in dealing with ‘foreigners’ registering to vote.
