Criticism against Greek political system for economic crisis is just: president

Criticism against the Greek political system for the economic crisis that has hit Greece hard this year is just, said Greek President Karolos Papoulias on Saturday.

Addressing an event on the occasion of the 36th anniversary of the restoration of democracy in the country, Papoulias talked of a "decadence that is fairly attributed by citizens mainly to the political system."

"Since 1974, Greece has become a democracy, but despite the flow of European funds, we didn't manage to create a strong production basis, nor a transparent management of state property," Papoulias said in the presence of representatives of the political world, such as Prime Minister George Papandreou and leaders of other political parties represented in parliament.

Approximately 800 veterans of the struggle against the military dictatorship which ruled Greece from 1967 to 1974 and army officers also attended the reception, which was organized on a lower budget compared to previous years. There was no catering or live band this year due to the economic crisis.

"The crisis has not affected people equally. Protests are justified, as long as they don't amount to indifference of the general interest. Social cohesion is in danger," Papoulias stressed.

"Today we witness the results of past mistakes. Our common goal is the creation of a better democracy. I am certain that we can achieve it if we are united," Papandreou added in his message for the anniversary.

Greece faces a severe debt crisis since late 2009 and the government has introduced a package of austerity measures and structural reforms to overcome it with the support of European partners and the International Monetary Fund.

Source: Xinhua