There is no doubt that Greece is trapped in a dangerous cycle of external pressure and internal tension.
The refugee crisis is causing an upset and turn to conservative ideas in Europe, which as we have all recently seen, especially at the EU summit, is transferring the pressure to Athens.
The pressure for more active Greek involvement in the protection of Europe’s external borders will continue until the 6th of March, when the mini-summit with Turkey is to take place.
Unfortunately the flow of refugees remains strong. As soon as the weather improved a bit, the waves of refugees came back stronger, canceling, in practice, the solution provided by the reception centers.
The newly-built centers on the Aegean islands are already full, while new destinations emerge, such as Kastelorizo, where the refugees already outnumber the permanent residents.
In this respect, the uncertainty and threat of Greece being isolated from Europe remains. If we take into consideration the ongoing farmer road blocks within Greece, this becomes ever more critical.
Furthermore, nothing indicates the the negotiations with the creditors and partners over the completion of the first bailout review is picking up. The Eurogroup scheduled for the 7th of March will be decisive. The talks between the Greek Prime Minister and his German and French counterparts provide some hope for a resolution, but the comments from Dijsselbloem and Schauble are quick to reverse this.
The pension system reform and the government’s insistence on certain choices based on the political cost are also have the opposite effect. They further anger society and intensify the clash of generations, by further agitating the younger and productively active ones. The jeering of government MPs is indicative of the widespread doubt and mood for a conflict that is emerging among deceived sections of voters.
Once could say that the deficient left government is faced with its earlier anti-bailout actions and is in no position to cope with the delusions it cultivated in Greek society for years.
The political diversions it is attempting, such as clashing with the media, is not yielding any results. On the contrary, they are further increasing suspicion and entrench the belief among the Greek people that the goal is to control the media and not improve the problematic, in part due to the crisis, media market.
With all fronts – both in Greece and beyond – still open and the government trapped by early declarations, there is no room from optimism.
Unless the Prime Minister takes the initiative to coordinate and calms down the tension. TH way things are, Greece needs peace and to rally together. The country has had enough conflict and tension…
Antonis Karakousis
Originally published in the Sunday print edition
