Seven painful years have gone by since 2008, when we entered the major crisis and there has been no meaningful result.

The management of the major financial crisis has turned to be problematic and in many ways disjointed.

The previous culture of generalized populism and clientelism, as well as the incredible lack of understanding the many manifestations of the crisis along the way, extended the country’s stay in the deep, absolutely dark tunnel.

The common belief is that all attempts to control the crisis failed precisely because the political forces and country’s political personal were unable to consistently implement the fiscal consolidation programs agreed with our partners.

Consequently the bailouts fails and the governments collapse into disrepute, under pressure from the reactions of a deceived people, who believed that they could magically – without effort and sacrifice – return to the previous period of prosperity and fruitfulness.

After seven years we have accumulated experience and absolute knowledge.

All ways of managing the crisis have henceforth been judged and all recipes from the governing parties – from the Right, to the Center and the Left – have been tried and tested, without any managing to escape the framework set by the partners and creditors at the start.

The cycle of realizing the tension and weight of the country’s problem concluded with the traumatic experience of Mr. Tsipras.

However there is no time or room for other experiences.

Seven years are more than enough.

The Greek people are exhausted and cannot endure any delays and waiting.

The time has come for the political system to take a deep breath and fully assume the weight that remains, so that the country can confidently make the final meters until the finish line for its stabilization.

The opportunity exists and whether it is taken advantage will be determined in the first two month of 2016.

The pension system reform and the remaining measures will determine the evaluation and allow talks to begin on settling the debt, which in turn will pave the way for Greek securities to be accepted by the international credit system.

This time around there is no room for error, no excuses, no“I didn’t know” or “it’s not my fault”.

The government and opposition now have a duty to make decisions, without qualms or reservations, in the best – visible by all – interests of the country

Antonis Karakousis

Originally published in the Sunday print edition