Mr. Tsipras’ participation in the international forum in Como may have disappointed some of his comrades who preferred he appeared in the demonstration in Thessaloniki, but for those who are still in touch with reality, it was an obvious initiative for a party and leader vying for power. Unfortunately a section of the Greek left insists on considering discussion and contact with those they do not agree with to be surrender to the “class enemy”.
A party though, which despite its internal conflicts and disagreements on the current situation in Europe, believes that Greece should carry on being a part of this community and cannot stay away from or ignore ongoing developments. It is simple and easy to limit your view point according to whom you agree with ideologically, to only converse with groups and movements of a limited resonance. In that case though you are not a party vying for power, but rather a protest group.
Whether some like it or not long gone is the age of ideological and political purity, or even worse the obsession with doctrines from other eras. As the world constant evolves and changes, if the left wants to claim a significant role it cannot remain shut off in its own world. It must being talks with related forces and enemies alike, it was strive to expand its horizons and above all remain in touch with political reality.
It must also come to a decision once and for all, whether it believes that Greece is an integral part of Europe, that it cannot avoid discussion and the debate about the future. Mr. Tsipras seems to realize this. It is time that those parts of his party, which insist on associating radicalism and the left with Hugo Chavez style regimes, must also realize this.
TO VIMA
