Heeding the veterans

There was a good deal of reaction to Kathimerini?s interview with former Prime Minister Costas Simitis in Sunday?s edition. As is their habit, diehard partisans, whichever political party they may belong to, read all sorts of conspiracy theories into his words, while others simply wished that he would hold his tongue and not express his opinions.

It is high time that these constant critics of any constructive debate grew up and accepted how important it is for a country in crisis to make use of the experience and knowledge of people who have served in important posts over the course of their careers.

What these veterans say may not be pleasant, while there are many people who believe that they should own up to their mistakes before criticizing the actions of their successors.

Nevertheless, it is important, if not necessary, as a nation to listen to them when they have an opinion to express. At the end of the day, the role of veteran politicians in most mature democracies is just that: to enrich public discourse with reason and to speak without fear of the political cost when the country is being sorely tried.