With the state coffers empty and the negotiations wavering between an agreement and an impasse, the crisis has come back stronger and threatens the country once again. We are currently back to step one.

The real economy is literally suffering, businesses are falling apart, even the healthy ones are experiencing liquidity problems and most employees in the private sector are no paid on time and are forced to restrict themselves, which further exacerbates the recession.

The government also seems disorientated, powerless and weak, without allies and trapped by an irrepressible rhetoric, its election campaign promises, its obsessions and ultimately, it will fall prey to upcoming events.

Yesterday’s visit of Mr. Dragasakis and Mr. Tsakalotos to the European Central Bank’s HQ appeared like suicide, a desperate attempt to cover the funding needs.

On their way out from Mr. Draghi’s, the two government officers mumbled that they were optimistic of an agreement, which will not however come without measures, without assuming responsibilities and without political cost.

As it appears, the European Central Bank will not greelight funding, but rather it will send an ultimatum to the Greek government to come to an agreement, because time is actually running.

Furthermore, there preparations on a technical level that have been carried out are not enough so that we may see white smoke from the Eurogroup’s chimney.

Meanwhile the International Monetary Fund, despite the Greek interpretations of disagreements amongst the creditors, is pressuring for greater reform, because it predicts a derailment of Greek finances.

Without a doubt, the Greek case remains unresolved and since the coffers are empty, the country remains exposed to randomness and the unpredictable.

In other words, the threat of an accident remains as time runs out and the political negotiation is exhausted.

Truth be told, Tsipras’ government is experiencing its own drama and – like every other governments during the crisis – is called upon to decide between policies of salvation and its election campaign promises.

The longer the delay, the harder its position and negotiating abilities will become.

Sooner or later Mr. Tsipras will be called to choose whether he will assume his share of the responsibility, or he will shirk responsibility and attempt to pass on the responsibility to the people, just like Giorgos Papandreou did in 2011.

In recent years there have been many experiences for both options.

It is a matter of political culture what one draws from them…

Antonis Karakousis