Since the start of the crisis To Vima has argued that a national consultation has and continues to be absolutely necessary for the country to overcome its daily problems. All that is necessary is for the consensus to be honest, rather than out of pretext, to pushing forward the major and necessary reforms and not just to manage the occasional political problems of the government in power.
The initiative of Mr. Tsipras to call the political leader council via telephone calls from Israel reveals more of a lack of preparation than a comprehensive plan for a meaningful national consultation. With no real agenda, since national issues such as the refugee crisis and regional developments and domestic policy issues – the pension reform – are all mixed up, questions are raised as to the usefulness and efficiency of such a meeting.
The refusal of parties, such as KKE, to participate and the reservation of others create also highlight the uncertainty regarding the possibility of reaching a rudimentary, at least, consensus. This uncertainty becomes more prominent, given the government majority’s track record of outright refusal towards any attempt for a broader political consensus in all the years of the crisis.
If the Prime Minister truly wants a national consensus, then he must manage the political leader council meeting more wisely and with fewer media tactics; with greater care and cooperation with the opposition parties and not last-moment phone calls. The country’s major problems truly need solutions with a broader consensus and not opportunistic, short-term arrangements.
It is up to Mr. Tsipras to demonstrate in practice what he means and what he is after from this consultation; with a plan, meaningful and thought-out positions and not just sensationalist moves, which, after all, quickly crumble.
TO VIMA
