Greek - Statesman | June 16, 1952 -
Unfortunately, corruption is widespread in government agencies and public enterprises. Our political system promotes nepotism and wasting money. This has undermined our legal system and confidence in the functioning of the state. One of the consequences is that many citizens don't pay their taxes.
George Papandreou
ConfidenceMoneyGovernmentLegal
If we had a consensus we wouldn't have to go to a referendum.
GoConsensusReferendumHad
People would say you look weak if you're not cursing the opposition and driving around in a big black car while always wearing a tie. Above all, to be 'strong' you're always supposed to be giving orders.
CarBe StrongPeopleStrongBlack
The Marshall Plan was after destruction, and the U.S. came to our help and obviously this was very, very important for the future of Europe. I think now we have all the capabilities of doing it on our own and, in a sense, we have to.
FutureThinkDoingHelpPlanNow
I think there is a heritage which I'm proud of, which is a fight for democracy, a fight for social justice, a fight for freedom. My grandfather went to jail or exile six times in his life, fighting for his principles for democracy, or for his country. And my father twice.
LifeFatherFreedomJusticeFight
First of all, Greece won't go down. We're talking about a country that is capable of making change. Europe will not allow the destabilization of the 27-country euro zone. But if there were no action, then markets would start becoming jittery about other countries - and not only Spain and Portugal, but other countries in the European Union.
ChangeStartActionTalkingDownGo
Everyone needs to carry out his own personal revolution.
RevolutionPersonalEveryoneOutOwn
If Greece had gone through a very normal political life, I may have not been in politics. But just the fact that I lived through huge upheavals and very difficult struggles and polarization and the barbarism of dictatorships - that made me feel that we had to change this country.
LifeChangePoliticsMePolitical
Countries are not like financial markets. Social change cannot be executed as swiftly as credit-default swaps. You cannot sell short on social commitments and practical responsibilities.
ChangeFinancialShortYouSell
I would like to see Greece as a case study, an opportunity for Europe to strengthen its coordination of fiscal policy.
OpportunityStudyPolicySeeEurope
The fact that we're going through a crisis is an opportunity for Europe to be more coordinated and more integrated. We're actually talking about a European Monetary Fund or euro bonds, about guarantees for countries, about economic governance in the European Union. That shows the strength of Europe.
StrengthOpportunityTalkingCrisis
There are certain moments in the history of a nation when the choices made define the decades to come.
HistoryChoicesMomentsNationCome
Copyright © 2024 QuotesDict George Papandreou quotes