It is nearly six years since the major financial crisis became official, when under the threat of a bankruptcy, Giorgos Papandreou accepted the first bailout in his infamous declaration from Kastelorizo.
Since then the bailouts have come one after the other, accompanied by a slew of inefficient, inadequate and unworkable, in many cases, measures.
We have now reached Bailout number 3 and it appears that we are heading for a fourth one, with the country unstable and fully dependent on the kindness of foreigners. In these six years the Greek economy has lost its vitality and has only seen losses, cancellations and collapses. With it, Greek society has suffered, losing income, jobs and opportunities from progress and growth.
Significant sections of Greek society did not realized – or rather chose to not realize – that the era of borrowed prosperity had finally come to an end, once and for all, while being bound by a cycle of consiratory approaches, endless delusions and unfulfilled expectations.
Likewise, our political system was rocked to its core because it could come to terms with the idea of a bankruptcy and the need to defend with consequence radical policies for fiscal consolidation and the restructuring of the economy.
The political forces, bound by populism and clientelism, were unable to lift that weight and truly defend a clear choice for the country and its people.
At present the government of Mr. Tsipras appears to fall short of expectations. It is hesitant, undecided and is constantly wasting time and efforts. It is being oppressed by the political cost, which is why it is quibbling and planning divisive distractions, in order to cover for its indecision and constant wavering for that past months.
Mr. Tsipras is unable to control sections of his party and is seeking a way out and cover from an ineffective and entirely problematic – as it has been proven many times in the past six years – political negotiation.
The time leading up to Orthodox Easter will be critical. If indecision and hesitation prevail, if the review does not conclude on time, the negotiating conditions with the creditors will become worse and there will be revival of bleak scenarios from last summer.
Everyone knows that this time there will not even be any available nediators. The messages have been sent, the government and opposition are both aware of this.
If Greece cannot come to an agreement with its creditors and partners, then it will be literally left at its own devices, with all that entails in relation to its position in the world.
The Prime Minister must understand that he has a historical duty to do all that he can to stabilize the economy and the country. Otherwise, he will be fully responsible for everything tragic that will happen in Greece.
Antonis Karakousis
Originally published in the Sunday print edition
