In spring 2012 the parties that supported the Papadimos government estimated that its time was up, that it gave everything it had to giver and that the continuation of the recovery program should be decided by the Greek people.

The results of the elections on the 6th of May established new political circumstances in the country. Once dominant political forces were heavily doubted while other, formerly marginal and fringe parties, dynamically burst into the political scene.

A government could not be formed, so fear and anxiety dominated the country. In this climate of intense insecurity and under the threat of exiting the Eurozone, elections took place again, which resulted in a new coalition government comprised of the once dominant political parties and a new one that increased its reach due to the greater crisis.

Many treated that tripartite coalition as a short term deal, with maybe a few months ahead of it.

However things turned out differently. Despite DIMAR leaving the government after the explosive events at ERT, the Samaras-Venizelos coalition withstood the many social and political pressures and today, 18 months later, it is defending its accomplishments, demonstrating its results ahead of the European elections and has the ambition of striking a new great deal with partners and creditors that will placate the people once and for all and overturn the climate of discontent for the parties and forces that support it.

It is true that the government is heading towards the local government and European elections with the burden of the many taxes and measures, while the opposition is taking advantage of popular discontent and anger to fullest extent. The polls and studies show that the people do not have the best of intentions. Many predict that the results of the European elections of the 25th of May will be similar to the ones from the 6th of May 2012, confirming the climate of doubt.

Despite this, nobody can make any predictions about the turn of events. The times are special – some even call them constitutive – there are no certainties in such periods of great social changes and political shifts. A lot will happen over the next months. Everyone involved in the political game will wan to influence and affect everyone on the eve of the European elections. The government is already working towards this and will attempt to create the best possible conditions in the upcoming elections. The partners and creditors will also want to protect themselves against any future dangers and will obviously support the government. At the same time, the government will have to face the pressure from the left and the right. The “right” will be represented by many, despite the recent events the far right remains active, while the initiative of 58 appears to become rallying point for the center.

The opposition must also overcome its own self. Already its candidates in the district elections are being doubted, contrary to the so-called impending wave of change and success. On the contrary, the suspicion towards SYRIZA increases, allowing the center left formation to make significant gains in the urban world.

In other worlds the future is not as clear cut as many assume it will be. Let is not forget that similar political conditions in 2012 brought about the new political forces. This could happen again. Again, it is not obvious what will emerge in the upcoming European elections.

TO VIMA