The elections took place, the new government was formed and, paradoxically, the sun did not stop shinning, nor did the end of the world come – at least for the time being.
What has happened is that it was demonstrated that Greece can carry on, even if the seats in Parliament were filled by people other than the same 100-1500 who have been there for the past 30-40 years…
What this new government will achieve is yet to be seen and we will be here to see and judge. In the meantime though, the first post-election actions of New Democracy, where Antonis Samaras refused to be present at the handover ceremony to Alexis Tsipras, were an insult to democracy.
The impressions both within and beyond Greece, both with and beyond New Democracy, were something more than negative.
Now the former ruling party has one second and last chance to somewhat rectify the situation, where New Democracy will have to decide what to do with the President of the Republic.
If New Democracy decides to not vote for a President, especially a candidate from its own faction and more so from its very own ranks, then it will clearly demonstrate how much it has been affected by defeat and that it has lost all touch with political decency, democracy and ultimately the country.
A President of the Republic will be elected – there is no doubt about this. He will also be elected with a satisfactory number of votes.
In any case New Democracy cannot interrupt the developments.
If they do not vote though they will easily prove that they only care about exacting political revenge for losing power and isolating itself off.
This will not harm the government, the new President or the country.
It will only harm itself.
And it will hurt itself a lot.
Giorgos P. Malouchos
