Diaspora Chief: PM Mitsotakis bringing new Spring to Greece

ATHENS – Greece’s new Prime Minister and New Democracy leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who took office after ousting the former ruling Radical Left SYRIZA in July 7 snap elections, has already brought optimism to the austerity-weary populace and is committed to involving a formerly-neglected Diaspora. That was the assessment of Deputy Foreign Minister for Greeks Abroad Antonis H. Diamataris.

Writing in the Greek newspaper Kathimerini, he said that 2 ½ months into his administration that Mitsotakis has changed the dynamics of Greece’s relationship with Greeks abroad. “The change in climate is already so noticeable that it can be said that we are at the dawn of a new spring in Greece’s relations with worldwide Hellenism,” wrote Diamataris.

It’s due in part, he added, to the sense that Mitsotakis has pulled Greeks out of the political miasma that SYRIZA brought, “reviving the nation as a result of an image of a prime minister who is as good, if not better, than his counterparts on the world stage.”

Greeks around the world, he added, are eager to embrace a leader whose team includes “the best and brightest,” and with the new leader acting swiftly to lure foreign investors scared off by SYRIZA take hikes and hard-core leftist elements trying to block them.

“The message is clear: Greece has left behind the traumatic period of political experimentation. It is preparing to make a leap of quality economic development. This is, above all, what universal Hellenism seeks from the motherland: It wants its children to feel proud not only of the glory of the classical age of yesterday but also of its achievements today. To a large extent, the tomorrow of universal Hellenism depends on this,” said Diamataris.

At the core of this is a new attitude toward the Diaspora and recognizing the contributions Greeks abroad could bring and as the government is moving toward letting them vote in general elections for the first time, and with changing how consulates will work with them.

“When the expatriate or diaspora-born Hellene walks into a Greek consulate – there are always exceptions – he is in a very different world than he is used to: It’s a world of suspicion, negativity, frustrations, and sometimes even nasty behavior,” he said.

That kind of experiences can negatively color how children of Greeks abroad view the homeland too, he said, noting that at the Thessaloniki International Fair earlier in September that Mitsotakis took it upon himself to send a message to Greeks in other countries about the right to vote and improving consulate services.

“In 2020, there will be a simplification of the framework for targeted policies. These concern… expatriate Greeks, mainly regarding the procedures related to consulates,” the Premier said with the minister adding that there will be a serious effort for a more friendly and modern state and a “permanent Spring in Greek and expatriate relations.”

Read more at thenationalherald.com

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