Greece cracks down on graft

The Greek government suspended more than 100 civil servants involved in awarding investment grants on the 14 March 2012, following the arrest of two officials for taking bribes.

The suspensions, which followed a sting operation by the SDOE financial police, marked a rare attempt to crack down on graft, seen as a significant obstacle to attracting foreign direct investment to Greece.

Separately, a second assessment report by the European Commission team meant to assist the Greek government with internal change showed that while Greece far exceeded its 2011 target for tax collection - hauling in €946m in tax arrears instead of the €400m target - huge work remained to change a culture of tax evasion, particularly among the very wealthy.

Deutsche Welle, 16.3.12: Greek task force head urges continued reforms http://www.dw.de/dw/article/0,,15811977,00.html

EurActiv, 19.3.12: EU spearheads tax crackdown on Greece http://www.euractiv.com/euro-finance/eu-help-spearhead-tax-crackdown-greece-news-511563

EUObserver, 15.3.12: Rich Greeks and businesses to be special focus of EU experts http://euobserver.com/19/115607

Kathimerini, 15.1.12: Task Force head sees progress but wants more http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_wsite2_17898_15/03/2012_433122

European Commission; RAPID: Press release, IP/12/242: Supporting growth and jobs in Greece - Task Force for Greece second quarterly report http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/12/242&format=PDF&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

European Commission: The Commissioners (2010-2014): President: The Task Force for Greece http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/president/taskforce-greece/index_en.htm

EUObserver, 13.7.12: Greek orthodox head defends Church over tax scandals http://euobserver.com/19/116962

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