April 21 carries a heavy weight in Greek memory. On this date in 1967, a military junta seized power in Athens, ushering in a seven-year dictatorship that reshaped the country’s economy, institutions, and society. Writing in Ta Nea, analysts detailed the “catastrophic legacy” of the junta’s economic policies — from reckless exchange-rate decisions that kept the drachma pegged to a declining dollar, to structural distortions in labor markets, the environment, and public institutions that plagued Greece for decades afterward.
Elsewhere in Greek news, the anniversary coincided with a striking act of cultural vandalism: unknown perpetrators “beheaded” the bust of beloved Cretan singer Nikos Xylouris at a memorial in Heraklion’s Kyprou Square, prompting outrage and an immediate restoration effort by local authorities. Meanwhile, a new magazine issue celebrates the 250th anniversary of the birth of Ioannis Kapodistrias, Greece’s first head of state, and five ancient artifacts were formally returned to Greece from Chicago in a ceremony attended by Culture Minister Lina Mendoni.
On the economic front, Prime Minister Mitsotakis is set to announce a new €500 million package of support measures on Tuesday, with reports suggesting a second tranche of €400–500 million may follow. And the country’s social tourism platform crashed almost immediately after going live, leaving thousands of eligible beneficiaries unable to submit applications.
