Christoulas je odmah postao simbol ljutnje i ogorčenja zbog mjera štednje, posebno kod penzionera kakav je i sam, od kojih su nekima naknade smanjena čak na 300 eura mjesečno, dok su poreske neplatiše koji zemlji duguju 55 milijardi eura u velikoj mjeri prošli nekažnjeno, a političari optuženi za masovno podmićivanje i korumpiranost su slobodni, a jedan od njih čak tuži vladu sudu da mu se poveća penzija.
Christoulas became an immediate symbol of the anger and frustration over the austerity measures, especially for pensioners like himself, some of whom have seen their benefits cut to as little as 300 euros a month, while tax evaders owing the country 55 billion euros have largely gone unpunished and politicians charged with massive bribery and corruption are free, one even taking the government to court to increase his pension.