Annual Report 2013: “The proper operation of institutions is not a luxury”

In 2013, the independent authority completed 15 years of operation and its dual, reforming and safeguarding role, remains crucial, more than ever before, due to the deep financial and social crisis experienced by the country. This is depicted in the large number of citizens’ complaints, –larger than any other year, submitted to the Greek Ombudsman in 2013. “The proper operation of institutions is not a luxury, even in a period of economic crisis” stresses Ms Calliope Spanou, the Greek Ombudsman, in the annual report for 2013, submitted in March 27, to the Speaker of the Parliament, Mr. Evangelos Meimarakis.

“Nevertheless, the target of increasing the state revenues tends to take precedence over all other interests, rights, or even the institutional operation of the state itself. The basic issue at stake, therefore, is to what degree citizens’ rights and the commitment of the State to protect them can be compressed for the sake of its fiscal policy” comments the Ombudsman in the same report, which presents the work, the findings and the recommendations of the independent authority for 2013.