The elections in January were dominated by the anti-bailout and so-called anti-systemic rhetoric. According to the emergent, at the time, SYRIZA, those in power before were enemies of the people and society, with their actions being synonymous to submission, drudgery and serving financial interests. A lost process of propaganda preceded and the effects of the first two bailouts were fleshed out, resulting in the formation of certain beliefs and attitudes, as well as expectations of change amongst large sections of the Greek people.
Under these circumstances the demand for radical change prevailed, giving the Left of Mr. Tsipras the opportunity to test his strength and abilities, but primarily to express and represent a different policy for the country and our people. However, these expectations, as it would turn out, were not justified.
The anti-bailout deceit collapsed when confronted with the European pressure to uphold what was promised and under the weight of the obvious, but not properly evaluated funding impasse. Similarly, the anti-systemic rhetoric gave way to the administrative inefficiencies of the left-wing governing party. Over time the impasse was becoming apparent and various political tricks were employed to cover it. The referendum turned out to be a firework – impressive, but it didn’t last a day.
After that impressive “No” and under the threat of a Grexit, the government was dragged into an unbalanced negotiation, which brought the third – and for many the harshest – third bailout. In order to pass the bailout through Parliament, opposing political forces were called up, Mr. Tsipras’ party broke up, the people and the supporters of the governing party in particular were disappointed and that is how we got to the elections of 20 September.
We are in the last week of the short election campaign period, awaiting the second televised debate and despite all of this, it is difficult to predict the electoral result. The climate, atmosphere and enthusiasm that brought Mr. Tsipras to power in January are undoubtedly no longer. His defenders are neither visible nor vocal as they were in the previous elections. On the contrary, the underestimated Meimarakis managed to unite his party and even create the circumstances to win.
However, after the first televised debate, something happened to the electorate. Under the prospect of a New Democracy victory the young and disappointed SYRIZA voters, who until recently were considering to abstain, were activated. It is no coincidence that Mr. Tsipras is raising the tone and bringing back the anti-systemic rhetoric, in an effort to mobilize the disappointed “No” voters and the shocked voters from January.
At present nobody can safely say to which side the voters will bank. Will they give Mr. Tsipras a second opportunity or will they choose the conservative – and safest for many – path that the populist Mr. Meimarakis proposes?
Antonis Karakousis
Originally published in the Sunday print edition
