By Christos Zampounis

The man who gave the order for the manual action against the archaeologist of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Cyclades Manolis Psarros, caused, probably unknowingly, the greatest upheaval since the birth of Mykonos. A cinematic scenario assumes that he was under the influence of alcohol or substances, because otherwise, no well-informed e.g. builder would take a similar initiative knowing the consequences of his action, in this case the interruption of the issuance of building permits outside the city plan. Another scenario, which is closer to reality, is that the perpetrator in question arrogantly overestimated his powers, considering himself above the law. The State was alarmed, the Prime Minister called an emergency meeting on the matter, prosecutors and investigators took up the case, and announcements were made announcing the strengthening of the control mechanisms in the Cycladic island. It is not certain that the investigations will come to anything, because businessmen who have been committing planning violations for decades are like the Hydra. You cut off one head and eight more appear.

The stakes go beyond any Manolis Psarros and any Archaeological Service. It is about millions of euros in turnover and businessmen who do not have the patience to wait for the approval to be signed by an understaffed Office. This is a golden hen that will not stop breeding because Mykonos, whether we like it or not, is one of the top 5 international destinations for those who want to spend their money. Along with Ibiza, Saint Tropez, Costa Amalfitana and Saint Barthelemy it is the constant dream of the rich and famous of the planet. A photo at “Nammo’s” or “Principote” is for Instagram users the equivalent of Edmund Hillary’s depiction when he climbed to the top of Mount Everest. Exaggeration? Not at all. The question, then, that we are called upon to answer, all of us who love our land, is whether we are willing to help the State, which is in fact us, in order to protect one of the most idyllic gems of the Aegean, preventing the “suicide” to which it is mathematically driven by unsustainable overbuilding.