Η συμβολή του Συνηγόρου του Πολίτη στην αντιμετώπιση των συνεπειών της οικονομικής κρίσης στους πολίτες

Abstract

The purpose of this essay is to highlight the Greek Ombudsman’s contribution to the citizens’ efforts to tackle the consequences of the crisis that has hit the Greek economy and society over the last six years. It pinpoints the most important areas of the citizens’ everyday lives that were affected by the economic crisis and the policy responses, as they result from the complaints submitted to the Independent Authority. To identify those areas and present the most significant issues directly related to the economic crisis which are recorded within them, a study of the Ombudsman’s annual and special reports, findings, mediation documents and letters sent to the relevant bodies, during the 2010-2014 period has been conducted. Reference is also made to the proposals of legislative or organizational nature submitted by the Ombudsman for the resolution of the issues at hand and – where possible – to the response of the competent bodies. The essay is divided into three parts. In the first part, the legal framework governing the Greek Ombudsman’s operation is presented, followed by a brief historical outline of the economic crisis and the measures taken by the Greek governments of the aforementioned period, in cooperation with their European partners and the IMF. At the end of the first part diagrams are used to show the effect that the crisis and the measures taken had to some key macroeconomic indicators. The second part contains the thematic presentation of major problems encountered by the Greek citizens as well as the mediation actions of the Independent Authority and the proposals submitted to the relevant bodies. In the third part, conclusions are drawn, with regard to the extent of the effects the economic crisis had in various areas, followed by the assessment of the Greek Ombudsman’s contribution and by proposals made to enhance the effectiveness of the Independent Authority.