Greek Citizens drowning in Debt, Politicians swimming in cash

SUNDAY, 25 DECEMBER 2011 16:51

PUBLISHER - THE BALKAN CHronicle

Greece may be drowning in debt, however the political elite seems to be doing much better than everyone else. This perhaps isn't very surprising considering the fact Greece has been run by few political dynasties (families) for the past 60 years.

While ordinary Greeks are relocating for good (even to China's Hong Kong), MINA's research shows every single Greek politician has at least 200,000 euros in bank accounts

and this is only what the politicians are reporting themselves.

Lets take PASOK leader George Papandreou - he earned 123,000 euros in salary last year. In various bank accounts, Papandreou reported having 51,435 and 9,944 euros in separate accounts. George's wife has 248,000 euros in two separate accounts. They also reported having two houses over 300 sq meters and an apartment.

Nea Demokratia leader Antonis Samaras last year claimed to have saved 107,000 euros. In four separate bank accounts he reported having 8,951, 285,000, 9,312, 3,775 euros. Samaras also has commercial space of 1,000 sq meters, land in Lavrion and Evia and apartments in Athens.

The leader of Greek communists Aleka Papariga reported earning 91,000 euros in salary, has 40,000 euros in a bank account and owns one apartment.

Kostas Karamanlis reported 130,000 euros in salary, bank savings accounts of 830,000 euros and 168,000 US dollars.

Dora Bakoyannis reported having around 200,000 euros on her bank accounts. Her husband reported a salary of 273,000 euros, and a savings account of 1.5 million euros. Bakoyannis owns numerous apartments in Glyfada (true number of apartments isn't known), several commercial real estate properties in Athens and abroad.

Interestingly enough, the biggest earner was LAOS leader Georgios Karatzaferis reporting 268,000 euros in salary only.

According to Greek media, 300 policitians has thus far submitted their net worth. According to Kathimerini, the source of this wealth which by all accounts is 'under-reported' isn't very clear. Back in 2009, 11 Greek MPs emptied their bank accounts and show 0 euros in assets on their reports.

A new Greek law would make it illegal for politicians to be transferring money to Switzerland. According to the anti-corruption body, no Greek politician has money in foreign banks, in other words no politician reported having money in foreign banks.

Greek media is convinced just the opposite is true, that many Greek politicians have substantial amounts in various foreign banks.