Chapter 150 Reaching an Agreement

By using the proportional tax system, the poor in the middle and lower classes are relieved from the heavy burden of bearing most of the taxes. The government increases its financial resources and the fiscal crisis can be solved.

The only ones whose interests are harmed are the middle- and high-income earners in society.

However, they will be compensated under the Article 3 reform

“Then let’s talk about the third reform goal, which is to strengthen the independence of the judicial system,” Prime Minister Alexandros announced to the crowd.

"As long as the independence of the judiciary can be strengthened, I am willing to pay more taxes," Silos said first.

"Every time a dispute occurs, the court does not make a decision based on the law. Instead, everyone works together to find a relationship."

“Officials can easily influence the work of the courts”

Most of the people present nodded in agreement with Siros's opinion.

"In fact, the chaos in the Greek judicial system is also affected by the civil service system and the political party system. Judges of the court must have a good relationship with political parties before they can take office. How can such a court be fair?" Cantor Riotis, the current Greek textile tycoon, as a representative of factory owners, was also invited to participate in the reform consultation meeting this time.

"The judicial system is not independent. Whenever we encounter economic disputes, the courts are always unable to make fair and just decisions. This makes it easy for businessmen to suffer losses."

"For many businessmen, the lack of transparency in the law will greatly discourage everyone's investment enthusiasm."

"When litigating, it's easy to fall into a vicious cycle - bribing the judge in order to get the verdict in their favour."

“Sometimes when you meet someone with a strong background, you just have to accept your bad luck.”

"Judges can't help it, their salaries are in the hands of others."

There is little opposition to reforms to enhance judicial independence.

Especially representatives of the bourgeoisie, they support reform because they are fed up with the suffering of the judicial system.

"Reform measures for the judicial system, in order to strengthen the independence of the judiciary and allow the law to serve everyone fairly and justly in social life, the future operating funds of the courts must first be listed separately in the budget, rather than being trapped in the administrative department ”said Prime Minister Alexandros.

"Similarly, in the future, the Greek court system will operate as independently as possible and will not be affected by administrative agencies, social groups, or individuals."

In fact, the three goals of reform are all related.

For example, in tax reform, if there is no clean and efficient tax collection agency, choosing a proportional tax system that is difficult to operate will do more harm than good. It is better to choose an equal-amount tax system.

Because his operation is simple, how much tax has been paid and how much has not been paid, just calculate the number of people and the total amount, and you will know. Anyway, everyone pays the same amount of tax.

The chaos in the judiciary is also affected by the official appointment and removal system.

As a result, the political crisis originally caused by the financial crisis has led to the current comprehensive reform of the government.

Seeing that everyone was in favor of judicial reform, and that this reform consultation was approved by everyone, Constantine also breathed a sigh of relief.

Generally speaking, all levels of society are willing to give and take.

Civil service groups will be restricted and gradually follow the British civil service system in reforms. As compensation, they will have a retirement system.

The poor people in the middle and lower classes have benefited the most. They finally don’t have to feel the heavy burden that they can’t breathe without hearing the news about tax increases like before, because the tax system has been changed to a proportional tax system.

Relatively speaking, the emerging bourgeoisie will become an important source of tax payment in the future, but they will also be compensated, their voice in society will be strengthened, the judicial system will be reformed, and their future business costs will be reduced.

Opinions on reform are full of compromises.

With the efforts of all parties, the government reluctantly reached a consensus with representatives from all walks of life.

After more than 40 representatives left the meeting, King George, Constantine, and Prime Minister Alexandros couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. The crisis was finally dealt with.

On the way to send the Prime Minister back to his official residence, Prime Minister Alexandros gratefully said to Constantine: "Your Highness, thank you for your support."

This crisis seemed to be easily solved. It was solved after representatives from all walks of life were summoned for discussion.

In fact, it is very risky for the royal family to do this.

Especially the decisive mobilization of troops to forcefully maintain order.

If everyone's differences are sharp and a unified opinion is not reached, the entire country may fall into civil war and chaos, and even the royal family may be in trouble.

From the royal family's perspective, a more prudent approach would be to not interfere in government disputes.

After all, Greece is a constitutional monarchy, and the king is not obligated to be responsible for the government's financial issues. That is a matter for the parliament.

If Alexandros' government can solve the fiscal crisis, then naturally everyone will be happy.

If he cannot effectively handle the matter, he should leave it to the parliament and let them re-elect a new prime minister who can take on the important role.

Until all parties are exhausted and finally compromise with each other and reach a consensus.

"You don't have to be like this, Prime Minister, the royal family also has its own considerations," Constantine said in a relaxed tone.

The Albanian region currently ceded by Greece from the Ottomans is still under martial law due to a lack of government funds.

The government's financial shortage has affected normal work.

In addition to these considerations, the reason why Constantine decisively persuaded King George to use the army as the prime minister to promote reform was because Greek society itself had indeed accumulated a lot of contradictions.

After years of rapid economic development, Greece's traditional, import-based economic development has come to an end.

For example, Greece developed the textile industry, and almost all of its main machines were imported from Germany. It was said to be developing industry, but in fact, it was more accurate to say that it was processing with imported materials. Raw cotton was imported from abroad - processed by German machines that were also imported, and then woven into cloth and exported to the Ottoman Empire.

Another thing was to rely on agricultural products from Congo, such as coffee and sugar, to be exported to countries along the Mediterranean and Black Sea coasts, and to make money through trade.

However, in the following period of time, if Greece still relies on these old means, it will be difficult to keep the economy developing rapidly.

The further development of the Greek economy can no longer rely on simple export trade.

He needs the Greek people to have some spare money in their hands to consume and promote the transformation and upgrading of Greece's economic structure.

This requires changes to Greece's original equal tax system.

Constantine did not want Greece to miss the opportunity to develop because of internal chaos.

After signing the London Agreement with the Ottoman Empire, this big market once again opened its doors to Greek goods, which was a great opportunity for the development of Greek industry.

If a large number of German industrial products were to enter the Ottoman Empire in large quantities as the relationship between the two countries warmed up, it would be extremely disadvantageous for Greece.

If a country cannot reform at the right time, it will lose the opportunity to develop.

"How much tax do you estimate Greece can collect each year after the tax system reform?" Constantine asked.

"If the tax department reforms faster, this year's tax revenue can be 50 million drachmas more than under the equal tax system," Alexandros said happily.

"With the rapid development of the Greek economy after the war, this number will continue to grow rapidly"

"After the government repays the due foreign debts of the United Kingdom, in addition to the military expenses allocated to the army, the government will invest the rest of the funds in the Albania region"