The talk of a referendum that has begun at the initiative of government officers and the Prime Minister himself is a politically stale initiative that harbors many dangers, both for the negotiation process and the economy. At a time when the government is meant to be striving for a more rational and realistic discussion with the creditors, the return of the threat of a referendum in case of an agreement not being compatible with SYRIZA’s election campaign promises, further extends the uncertainty that plagues the country.
The government and Mr. Tsipras have a fresh popular mandate to negotiate a better deal than the previous government, which in no case however will jeopardize the country’s membership in the euro. Mistakes and errors so far, as government officers admit themselves, resulted in valuable time being wasted and a credit crunch emerging. There is no more room for bluffs or illusions. The Prime Minister and his staff have a duty and responsibility to negotiate, in the little time that remains, the compromise which they claim, while assuming the political cost of their decisions.
Leaders are elected to govern, to take decisions and initiatives, not to pass on the responsibilities to the people. That is the purpose and price of democracy. The vague threat of a referendum on will not relieve the government from the political cost, while at the same time it poses a major threat for a stagnant economy.
Mr. Tsipras and his staff must consider the dramatic outflow of bank deposits (due to the uncertainty in the election campaign period and afterwards) and consider what may happen if we become involved with a referendum, which irrespective of what question it poses, will eventually become a dilemma over our euro membership.
TO VIMA
