Constitutional Law / Droit constitutionnel
Greece / Grèce
Andreas I. Pottakis
Greek economy is facing a disaster that can only be compared to that of a war-torn country. Apparently, one of the most important reasons for this is the low revenues compared to public sector expenditure, that compel every government to seek lending in order to somehow balance its annual budgets. The law that is the focus of the present chronicle characteristically depicts the dramatic condition of public finances, as well as the tough position to which the government was found. Imposing a retroactive tax charge is clearly an unpopular policy, destined to raise the level and intensity of dissatisfaction by the people. It is also a measure so clearly unconstitutional, in direct breach of a constitutional clause, that it further infuriates one to have to resort to a court rule to have its application annulled.