ekathimerini.com - The Greek Letter -- 11 May 2025 - Troubled adolescence

 

Troubled adolescence[InTime News] Constantine CapsaskisNewsletter Editor Welcome to the weekly round-up of news by Kathimerini English Edition. The government unveiled a comprehensive raft of measures to tackle youth violence, set to be implemented in three phases (by 2026, 2028, and 2030 respectively). The 158 targeted measures included in the “National Strategy for the Prevention of Violence and Addressing Juvenile Delinquency” include increased training for teachers to mediate in cases of violence and empowering them with legal protections when reporting these instances, an increase in the overall number of social workers and psychologists active on school grounds, as well as improved surveillance in school “blind spots” including restrooms and outdoor areas. Additionally, suspended students will not be excluded from school grounds as part of their rehabilitation but rather will follow structured programs that could even include elements of community service. To complement these measures, the government announced the creation of ten pilot technical junior high schools in areas with higher crime rates, which will operate in coordination with Greece’s technical high schools. Enrollment in one of these schools will be optional. The plan also emphasizes the importance of placing the family at the crux of any measures. “No child is born fearful or violent”, said Social Cohesion Minister Domna Michailidou. However, several experts have warned that despite the comprehensive approach of the new national strategy, it risks falling short unless long-standing gaps in mental health staffing, coordination and infrastructure are urgently addressed. Indicatively, they point to the fact that while the plan calls for an increase in the number of social workers and school psychologists, the current available services are already severely understaffed. They point to the fact that currently an appointment with child and adolescent mental health services in Eastern Attica may take up to five months. “In Athens, there are only 10 to 12 juvenile probation officers. By September, we were handling 2,500 active cases, and 1,600 new ones are added each year,” said Giannis Prantalos, president of the Association of Juvenile Probation Officers, emphasizing the issues of staff shortages. At the same time, just last week, two groups of youths and minors were arrested in connection with violent far-right groups. In Thessaloniki, 13 minors linked to the Nationalist Youth of Thessaloniki were arrested for violent incidents, including assaults on immigrants, sports-related hooliganism, robberies, and theft, while in western Athens, three youths were arrested for vandalizing a school building with slogans promoting the neo-Nazi Golden Dawn group. Spotlight Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in Athens on Wednesday as part of the first High-Level Cooperation Council between the two countries. The two leaders met for the second time in four months, emphasizing the excellent state of bilateral relations and reaffirming their close alignment on regional issues. To this end, the two countries also signed a “strategic partnership” agreement which includes increased cooperation in key areas including energy, trade, and legal migration. “Our bilateral cooperation is based on political, economic, and cultural ties, which are deeply rooted in history and defined by our strong commitment to the values of peace and the full respect of international law,” said Mitsotakis and Sisi in a joint statement. The Greek prime minister also said that his country supported an Arab-backed plan for the reconstruction of Gaza following the end of hostilities.   Main opposition party PASOK is likely to submit a motion next week to form a parliamentary inquiry to investigate Kostas Karamanlis, who was serving as transport minister at the time of the deadly railway collision at Tempe in February 2023. It argues that the report submitted to parliament last week by the investigating prosecutor confirms that the former minister should face criminal charges. If this motion materializes, the government majority is likely to submit its own inquiry to investigate Karamanlis for a misdemeanour, likely for breach of duty, rather than felony charges and a swift referral to the judiciary, similar to the case of former cabinet member Christos Triantopoulos. At the same time, an Athens court convicted former SYRIZA leader and current leader of the Movement for Democracy party Stefanos Kasselakis over a discrepancy in the wealth declaration he submitted in his former capacity. He was handed a suspended prison sentence of 30 months and faces a 50,000 euro fine.

MUST READS Putting our children in the enemy’s wayGo to article > How do you deal with racism?Go to article > Unpicked fruitGo to article >

OPINION Tom EllisEditor-in-Chief, Kathimerini English Edition A win win set up for Greece and US energy giants in the East Med[Shutterstock] Greece is getting on the energy map on multiple levels, aiming at the obvious economic rewards, but also at enhancing its geopolitical value. During his recent visit to the US, Environment and Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou held discussions with energy giants Chevron and ExxonMobil at their headquarters in Houston about the Eastern Mediterranean’s energy potential and Greece’s role in this promising puzzle. Papastavrou, who was accompanied by Deputy Minister Nikos Tsafos and Hellenic Hydrocarbon Management Company CEO Aristofanis Stefatos, signalled that hydrocarbon development remains a national priority and presented Greece’s concerted efforts to finalize concession procedures by late 2025. In that context, he explained that Athens wants both companies to accelerate their hydrocarbon explorations in areas south of Crete and the Peloponnese. The Greek delegation also visited Cheniere, America’s largest LNG producer, and second globally after QatarEnergy, and discussed the role of Greece in importing LNG from the US to Europe. Cheniere has been at the forefront of LNG exports to the continent, especially following the Ukraine war. It is clear that in the present geopolitical situation Greece can and should invest in exploiting its resources and taking advantage of its geographic location which makes it a natural entry point to the European markets. The companies will make their decisions based on the available data; the signs and projections so far point to a calculated willingness on their part to proceed. Following his US visit, Papastavrou plans to travel to Greece’s strategic partner Israel to discuss regional energy cooperation. At the same time, Athens is closely cooperating with Cairo. Last week’s visit to Greece by the Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, and the discussions that took place between the two governments during the first Greece-Egypt High Council for Cooperation, confirm the seriousness with which both countries approach their mutually beneficial coordinated actions on many fronts. With scientific evidence offering promising results, the prospects for Greece and the US energy companies involved in different activities in the area are very positive and offer a win-win scenario for all. The Greek energy minister’s visit to the US confirmed that assessment.

CHART OF THE WEEK

Greece is set to repay 31.6 billion euros by 2031, 10 years before its initial maturity. The repayment, which forms a significant part of Greece’s total debt, concerns the balance of loans (GLF) totaling €52.9 billion that was granted to the country as part of the first Eurozone rescue package in May 2010. Finance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis highlighted that by 2029 Greece will no longer be the most indebted country in Europe. “The excessive public debt, which undermined our national sovereignty and social cohesion, is now rapidly de-escalating,” he added.

ESCAPADE Stories told by the stones of Crete A forgotten world comes to life at the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, while traces of Crete’s archaic cities still linger among dry-stone walls and countryside chapels. Go to article >

ECONOMY IN A NUTSHELL

“The Athens Exchange (ATHEX) general index closed at 1,750.48 points on Friday, up 1.41% from last week for a new 15-year high.”

“The regulatory complexity present in Greece presents a significant barrier to increased productivity and further growth for the economy, according to the latest report complied by the European Investment Bank. Characteristically, it notes that 63% of Greek businesses employ staff to primarily interpret and implement laws and regulatory rules.”

“Eligible properties for the second “My Home” subsidy programme launched by the government to support young, first-time buyers are already drying up. Houses are proving to be fewer and more expensive, leading to difficulties in the absorption of the available two billion euro fund.”

WHAT'S ON THE AGENDA

12/05/2025PM abroad: Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will conduct several visits next week, including a meeting with Italian counterpart Georgia Meloni in Rome on Monday. The prime minister will then visit Germany, likely meeting with new Chancellor Friedrich Merz, before travelling to New York. 15/05/2025Blue Flag beaches: The Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature will announce the beaches that earned the coveted Blue Flag status, which assesses beaches, marinas, and tourism vessels on stringent criteria, including water quality, beach cleanliness, and facilities for visitors. 17/05/2025International Museum Day: To celebrate International Museum Day on May 18th, several museums across the country will hold a series of events over the weekend. They include the Acropolis Museum, and the Museum of Cycladic Art.

Editor's PickAny policy geared at long-term gains, in any sector – including that of innovation, which would also yield tangible results for Greece’s domestic needs and, more specifically, for its armed forces – must also include elements that will lead to growth in the decades – not just years – to comeVassilis NedosRead the article

PODCAST

08/05/2025 • 11:53Tackling the challenge of low wages in GreeceSince the pandemic we’ve seen the Greek government step in to tackle low wages, raising the minimum wage from €650 in 2019 to the latest announcement in early April bringing the gross wage up to €880. These steps come amid both a cost of living crisis and a labor shortage ahead of the summer in the tourism industry, but also other key sectors like agriculture and construction. Yannis Mouzakis, the co-founder and editor of Macropolis.gr, joins Thanos Davelis as we look into the story of Greek wages, breaking down why this remains a big challenge for the government.

We’d like to hear from youShare your feedback at newsletters@ekathimerini.com