The barrage of signs and messages arriving in Athens from all over the world are indicative of the looming national crisis.

All official international organizations and agencies warn that without an agreement with the partners and creditors over the next few days, the country will face consequences that the Greek people have not even dreamed of in their worst nightmares.

However much the government wants to cast out the evil spirits and cultivate false hopes for financial aid from Moscow, Beijing and elsewhere, the facts confirm that the Ministry of Finances will soon run out of money and is examining solutions that do not suit an advanced economy.

In Sunday’s print edition of To Vima, Giorgos Papaioannou has written an extensive report on the dangers of an inability to pay in euros and the plans for payments of a portion of wages and pensions with IOUs, coupons and other tools that have not been used since the Second World War and in the post-war era have only been encountered in countries with real socialism.

The cost – political, financial, social and national – is, as one could imagine, immense and capable of literally blowing Greece up, of impoverishing it and making it comparable to the third-world countries enthralled in civil conflicts.

Such developments however can be avoided and must be avoided. The only person who can avert the emergence of such problematic developments is solely the Prime Minister.

Mr. Tsipras has the responsibility for the country in his hands and he has the duty to do everything that is possible in order to avert the looming crisis.

He is leading the country and its people, he does not have the right to stall or make a mistake, by overestimating the conditions and international environment.

For the past few weeks we have argued how the Prime Minister has not other option other than coming to an agreement with the partners, while fully assuming his proportion of the political cost. This political cost will be far less, unless we reach a deadlock and a default.

For better or for worse, we are approaching ground zero.

Now is Mr. Tsipras’ time, whether he wants it or not.

That is the fate of leaders. There comes a time when they have to take a big step, even if it does not suit them. Mr. Tsipras must cross the Rubicon.

Antonis Karakousis

Originally published in the Sunday print edition