Half-way though the election campaign period we estimated that the new Greek Left of Mr. Tsipras would have the opportunity to govern the country. SYRIZA’s upcoming electoral victory was rather obvious. A significant portion of the Greek people seemed to trust Mr. Tsipras and ignored the campaign of fear and many warnings that his opponents chose.

We were criticized by some for our estimation and prediction. However, the elections proved them right. The people gave Mr. Tsipras the opportunity to manage the country’s major affairs. At first he surprised many with his speed and preparation in forming a government and taking on his difficult task without delay.

What happened next though failed to live up to the first impressions. With their bold statements the enthusiastic new ministers managed to create a rather hostile climate with our partners and creditors.

The Minister of Finances in particular, managed to create an atmosphere of major conflict, with the intensity of his speeches and his many appearances, both here and abroad. His first speeches resembled hostilities more than negotiations. As a result the relations with Europe got worse, the European Central Bank implemented countermeasures, the Greek economy began suffering from the credit crunch and a veil of suspicion was draped over Athens.

The intensity in the relations with the Europeans was such, especially with Wolfgang Schäuble and his crowd, that even the decision at the Eurogroup of the 20th of February could be implemented.

Each side interpreted accordingly, comments from each side were destructive, the reception of the technical teams in Athens was not the best, the international media brought back the Grexit threat, the bank accounts were being drained once more, the public funds dried up and the economy was literally in danger of freezing.

At this critical point the Prime Minister claimed a special meeting with Chancellor Merkel at the sidelines of the summit, in order to put an end to the climate of long-term uncertainty and catastrophe.

The mini summit of the eight yielded a result. Mr. Tsipras now has a week to present to his partners a concise and fully-organized reform plan, capable of ensuring financial stability, dispelling the climate of suspicion over Greece, in order for the smooth funding to resume.

Mr. Tsipras has a little time left to confirm that he can capable manage and not waste the opportunity that the Greek people gave to the new Greek Left with its vote.

Otherwise, should he fail, he will betray the Greek people’s feelings, he will shatter his trust, miss the opportunity and the new Left will end up in the political margins, from where it emerged due to the crisis.

Antonis Karakousis

Originally published in the Sunday print edition