One small delay, for technical or substantial reasons, in the payment of some pensions was enough to trigger concern amongst the pensioners, who rushed to save take out their money. The problem may have been rectified within a few hours, without any aftereffects, however the concern that it generated is indicative of what may happen, should there be a longer delay.
Struggling hour after hour and day after day to collect the necessary funds to cover the State’s needs clearly leads to a dead end. There is also the threat of an unforeseen accident being caused, by a mistake or wrong estimation. Neither the economy, nor the country can endure living in a state of constant uncertainty. The State has already essentially suspended payments, beyond wages and pensions, while the private sector has gone past its limits, with the consequences now being visible.
The time for negotiations with the Europeans, the only ones who can guarantee a smooth flow of financing for the county, is running out. The room for maneuvering, delays and, more so, for irrational perceptions has also almost run out. The only path for the government and Mr. Tsipras is that of an honorable compromise – as he has stated – and to ignore obsessions, such as those that Mr. Lafazanis adopted in an article he published yesterday.
Any other choice will have dramatic consequences for the country and its people. And then, unfortunately, as evident by the small delay in the payment of pensions, the reactions of even those who voted for or support the government will be neither limited, nor easy to manage.
TO VIMA
