Scenarios are constantly recycled and brought to the attention of politicians, entrepreneurs and journalists suggesting that the government is going to collapse at any moment and ballot boxes are ready for elections in November.
These scenarios convince many who rely on the so-called development and who dream of elections the day after they have been conducted.
The truth though is that in the current state of affairs, no sane person would even consider the possibility of an election.
Truth be told, the last thing the country currently needs is elections.
At present Greece is at the start of a painful process of escaping the vicious cycle of recession and relentless bailout deals, which when combined together deprived the country of its financial independence.
It is time that the achieved fiscal progress and the recovery of the Greek economy’s previously lost competitiveness can be recognized internationally and accredited by the relevant European bodies.
In other words, it is that moment that Greece can celebrate its return – rather its grand return – to the international monetary system.
If the primary surpluses can be confirmed by spring 2014 and the 10.5-billion-euro funding gap of 2014-2015 is covered, it will be easier to renegotiate the debt, as promised in November 2011.
If everything goes smoothly and there are no twists or disruptions capable of causing delays and the return of a climate of doubt, then in the summer of 2014 Greece will be able to agree with its partners and lenders upon a new, beneficial settlement of its debts.
That way the budgets will rid themselves of the unbearable interest payments and the fiscal policy will be free of the current restrictions, allowing the diversion of some funds towards development purposes.
This solution is politically prefabricated and based in practice on the successful fiscal progress that is attributed to the Greek people’s sacrifices. This is a first-class opportunity to exit the crisis and reenter the global financial system.
Greece must not waste this opportunity.
That is why scenarios of early elections or other such disruptive developments must not be allowed to interrupt this perspective.
The national interest demands stability and patience. After all “patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet”.
Antonis Karakousis
