There were hopes that the Tuesday-evening discussion in Parliament could act as the launching pad for an essential consensus. It is a fact the opposition, aside from the unavoidable criticism against the government plan, presented specific proposals and reflected upon the mistakes of its past. For the first time a leader of the main opposition openly recognized the mistakes and omissions of his party, by relating to the reaction over the infamous Giannitsis reform of the pension system, which was rejected.

However the Prime Minister not only insisted on denying his responsibility for the current situation and blame the previous government, but in essence he attempted to block all possibilities of reaching a consensus. By carrying on the same divisive logic he accused Mr. Mitsotakis of being the mouthpiece if the troika and IMF as an underminer of the negotiation…

In order to face the growing social reactions against the measures he proposes, he attempted to convince that the opposition is proposing cuts and that the government will ensure that the pensions will remain unscathed. He did not bother to explain how we will have a sustainable and fair pension system without any cuts for anyone…

It is disappointing when everyone recognizes that the pension system’s survival requires a meaningful reform, to miss such an opportunity for an essential consensus – more so when the opposition assumes its responsibilities for the current situation.

The constant political and social negativity that prevailed in the past decades is unfortunately coming back once again. This time it is the government which rejects the offer for a consensus. There is a slim chance for an efficient and sustainable reform. With excuses and a large section of society on the streets, we are faced again with a blind political conflict, which prevents the necessary social and political agreement that is needed.

As a result, the best possible scenario is yet another problematic reform, which will bring back this major issue again, perhaps with worse terms than at present…

TO VIMA