While security is a major issue now throughout Europe after the terrorist attack in Brussels, the Greek government – at least enough of its ministers –is acting as if it is not that big a deal. The events in Idomeni in particular show that some have not yet understood that they are dealing with a ticking time bomb, which could lead to unpredictable developments and consequences.

They consciously, as it turns out, chose from the start to leave a huge camp of desperate refugees to its own devices. Complete absence of the state, while giving carte blanche to non-government organizations and constantly hoping that the situation will defuse by magic. One minister considered the situation honorable for Greece, another called it a modern Dachau and a third claimed yesterday that it was the definition of a humanitarian crisis. As if they were not called out to address the problem, but to comment on it like independent observers…

One day a minister claims that the Army must at least take care of feeding the refugees and the next another argues that the Army should not get involved at all. It is a similar case in the port of Piraeus, where thousands of refugees and migrants are stranded, with the state wholly absent from here as well, aside from the few coast guard officials who intervene when the situation appears to get out of hand.

There is no plan, no organization while everyone predicts that after the attack in Brussels that even the EU-Turkey agreement is literally in jeopardy. The government limits itself to some demonstration over Turkey’s stance and continues to ignore the people that it should have addressed yesterday. It is rather clear that those who are currently in our country will stay here for some time, even if things turn out in the best possible way.

As much as it is a given that Greece cannot face the refugee crisis along, it must be just as clear to Mr. Tsipras and his ministers that they cannot pretend to be Pontius Pilate all the time. They are not running an NGO, but they have the duty of using every means at their disposal to manage a truly difficult situation to ensure that the people as well as the refugees will live in a well-governed State that respects its duties and responsibilities.

TO VIMA