Are there any discernible fundamental differences between Antonis Samaras and Alexis Tsipras? Of course there are, but in democracies there are no impasses.
If a President is not elected by the ongoing procedures then we will have general elections at the end of January. After a new government is formed at the start of February, the new Parliamentary Assembly will elect a President and after the government’s proclamations are read out in Parliament, the cycle of critical days will, as it would seem, conclude.
The celebrations of the victors and the complaints of those defeated are typical after each election campaign. In the present case though, what comes next will likely be different.
These elections will determine our relationship with Europe. Both parties vying for power confirm their European perspective at every opportunity. They also consider the Euro a sine qua non condition for the country’s growth and future. Our relationship with Europe are rocked by the known “adventures” of the infamous bailout agreement and the creditor demands, which have already reached a deadlock that the new government will be called upon to address.
If everything going on that is dividing the Greek people in pro- and anti-bailout supporters continues, then the future is looking bleak.
The two major parties are not separated by an inseparable river. It would make sense for them to agree on a mutual policy towards the international money-changers.
The consensus for a mutual policy in the post-elections Greece is essential, just like the cooperation of the two major parties, in case none of the two can form a government on its own, must be a given.
Stavros P. Psycharis
Originally published in the Sunday print edition
