The protection of the citizenry is the paramount duty of any organised state.

In fulfilling this highest duty, one must redesign the foundations of the organisation of the Greek state, a state that unfortunately cannot protect its citizens within a radius of a few kilometres from the capital.

This time, one must speak with the plainest possible terms. Athens is a European capital in which people drown from flooding in the winter and die due to summer wildfires.

Nothing better highlights the failure of the state than these successive tragedies. The lives lost from the flooding and wildfires are far more than 100.

There is nothing which, more than these tragedies, can more clearly underline the need for a radical change in organisation, coordination, and the competencies of various organs.

A radical change of mentality is also needed, beginning with those who are in power.

The country is naked. For this nakedness, there was not a single apology, or a single resignation.

All that one heard was excuses and conspiracy theories.

Quite rightly, the Prime Minister said that this is not the time to attribute responsibilities, as it is a time of mourning.

Mourning, however, must not be transformed into yet another excuse for never attributing those responsibilities where they belong – the higher echelons of power.