Men, women and government

Only five of the government's 51 cabinet members are women. You've obviously read this by now and you've probably seen the photographs of dozens of suit-clad men being sworn in as their wives and children look on proudly. But this should not be seen in isolation.

Of the six political parties that entered Parliament in the last election, only one is led by a woman. Of the 300 legislators, only 61 are women. Of the 21 MEPs elected in May, only five are women. Of the 332 mayors that will take over in September, only 19 are women. Of the 13 new regional governors, only one is a woman. 

All these, of course, are not the problem. They are symptoms. 

Greece is ruled by men - and always has been. Greek women may enter university and the labor market (even though data show they make up the second smallest percentage in the European Union), but a very small number is in...