Today's Greece, in the Midst of Crisis

Today's Greece, in the Midst of Crisis

Five years after national bankruptcy shattered a recession-battered Greek economy, shook the euro to its foundations, led to violent riots in downtown Athens and spawned extremist political parties of both the right and left, Greece is calm.

The government has cut deficits, the stock market is doing well and tourism had a banner year this summer. Athens is less polluted than in the past, the Acropolis is lit up at night, and music and wine flow freely in the tavernas. The Athenians are as vivacious as ever, charming and outspoken.

Yet, with tourist season over, the restaurants are half-empty. Pollution is low in large part because people cut back on the use of their cars in order to save money. Talk about politics contains a certain amount of whistling in the dark about the extremists and the next election.

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