IT IS QUITE astonishing that while their country is facing the worst crisis since World War II, Greece’s political parties still cannot unite and provide the kind of leadership necessitated by circumstances. The two main parties, which should have put all differences behind them long before now and agreed on a common strategy for dealing with painful consequences of their economic mismanagement, are squabbling and looking to score political points over each other.
This level of irresponsibility defies belief, especially when we consider that the two big parties, PASOK and New Democracy, are both to blame for the disaster zone that is the Greek economy. The over-bloated public service, early retirement, tolerance to mass-scale tax evasion, faking of national accounts, excessive borrowing, corruption and surrender to militant unions were perpetrated under the governments of these two parties. The least they could have done was to have formed a coalition government – of the type that is formed in a time of war – in the hope that it could provide strong leadership.
A national unity government may not have made things much easier on Greece and its people, but it could have limited the public unrest which has been simmering and is threatening to veer out of control at some stage. Extremist organisations are already trying to exploit public anger, resorting to violence and the creation of chaos. This could get worse in coming weeks and only a united political front could prop up what foreign correspondents have been describing as a ‘failing state’.
But the two main parties have been unable to show any political maturity. On Wednesday night it was reported that Prime Minister George Papandreou was willing to step down so that a unity government under a leader acceptable to the opposition could be set up. This was a commendable proposal and although it was unclear whether the New Democracy would go along with it, it was subsequently withdrawn, Papandreou opting instead for a cabinet reshuffle, a futile act that would change nothing. The new cabinet might not survive a vote of confidence in the coming week.
What would happen then? If Papandreou called an election would negotiations with the EU and IMF be put on hold and a decision on the budget cuts postponed for later? In such a case, the IMF would not deliver the €12 billion that was due to be paid next month, on condition that the €30bn-worth of budget cuts was made. In such a case the state would have no money to pay anyone. Is this what the politicians want to happen?
A national unity government could still be formed if the political parties, for once, put the national interest above petty party considerations, but time is running out.
