Everyone who has read the newspaper of the Conservative Left in the past few days is surprised. With everything the “Avgi” has written and writes, it seems to either hint towards the collapse of the government or it believes that the government is facing internal problems to the point of a provocation.

The newspaper writes, among others:

Things are difficult. And unusual for us – we knew differently all these years. And if you ask, most SYRIZA supporters – dare I say even Tsipras – will tell you that at times like these they would prefer to be in the opposition. It is a job that they know well and one could even say that we have have a Master degree in it. It suits us in all ways and it is no coincidence that in recent months many have chosen it over rejoicing about the coalition government.

The Greek people though decided otherwise in the elections. And don’t say “you asked for it”. Because there is no political part which considers itself to be without sins – apart from one perhaps. So the majority , which more or less knew what the deal was with the new bailout, did not trust Meimarakis, Fofi and their friends. They trusted – with reservations, questions and objections – Tsipras and his friends.

To do what? To bell the cat, as they promised. And now, as expected, the cat is here, lurking. You see some ministers sweat, look anxious and pressured and you can’t help but feel depressed. Because, as we all know, they are very uncomfortable with many of the measures and legislation which they will have to pass. They always have been.

But they will bell the cat. The popular mandate is clear. They must do so with the least possible harm to the most vulnerable. And to end with the cat that threatens everyone. At the end of the four-year term we will see if the damages were worth it…

*Mr. Stavros P. Psycharis is absent abroad.

Originally published in the Sunday print edition