The tension which dominates the relations of the new Greek government with partners and credits has caused an escalation of suspicion and a constant to and fro.
Every new deal is disputed the next day and justifiably creates the impression that everyone is struggling to dominate and prevail, in purely communicative terms, which agitates the people and makes the efforts of politicians increasingly more difficult.
Things have particularly gotten out hand with the Germans.
In Berlin they speak of the Greek people with contempt, while their newspapers act as if they are under attack.
And similarly in Athens many feel that the Germans have gone too far, that Schäuble is a ruthless blackmailer who aside from constantly attacking us, he colludes with willing Germanophile Greeks, to overthrow the newly elected Greek government.
In the midst of constant tension and conflict, the agreement of the 20th of February which was achieved with so much effort and concessions from both sides, remains mostly inactive and has not yielded any results, aside from doubts.
Our partners demand specific measures to confirm it and likewise the European Central Bank is negative towards any credit easements, maintaining its roles as the new government’s torturer.
They treated the latest measures with contempt and when more were added, the relevant Ministers of Finances claimed to be “unqualified” and referred the technical teams, the so-called “Brussels Group” that Moscovici referred to, which they demanded sent representative to Athens.
Many communications, consultations and clashes took place on Tuesday in order to determine whether the technical experts will come and if they do, whether the “Brussels Group” is appropriate for negotiations.
Now the European Central Bank is demanding its physical presence in Athens to determine the country’s fiscal situation and funding gap, before coming to any decisions regarding Greece.
As a result, the uncertainty and insecurity have soared, shaking everyone’s trust, destabilizing the economy and businesses – the ones that managed to survive the five years of recession.
Our guys want a fresh starts and our partners want to carry on where Antonis Samaras left off, so that they can force Mr. Tsipras into a constant retreat, capable of exhausting and undermining him politically.
Under this climate of suspicion the new talks for the implementation of the agreement of the 20th of February are set to begin in Brussels.
The truth is that the government has made a major turn and is prepared to back down some more, to discuss measures that may ensure the stabilization of public finances and additional ones that will support the recovery. They are even prepared to accept privatization and tax measures that the previous government would not even date discuss.
Without overcoming this climate of suspicion though, the review will not conclude by the 20th of April, nor will the foundations be laid for a meaningful negotiation and final solution by June.
In one respect, the great negotiation in June is what complicates things. Our partners want us on our knees by June, committed and incapable of anything, to be addicted and pleading for a news 30-40 billion euro loan, which will bind us forever, once and for all.
If that is the case and the Europeans want a cheap Greece, then it is worth fighting Schäuble and his buddies a thousand times. Because simply put, there will be no room or tome afterwards.
Antonis Karakousis
