Greece is in urgent need of a government that can effectively deal with the problems facing the country and that will remain firm in its stance. Problems in the economy, in public education and health, as well as in public order and security have reached a breaking point and need to be dealt with at once.

Ever since September, the administration of Costas Karamanlis has been dragged from one crisis to the next and has shown itself incapable of seizing the initiative. Its ministers seem to be more concerned with the impending government reshuffle than dealing with affairs of state.

The prime minister is now at a point where he has the opportunity to change this prevailing mood of defeatism. He can shake up his administration’s forces with a reshuffle that does not take into account party considerations, power centers or family ties. After five years in power he should have a pretty good idea of who deserves what. The decision, and the dilemma, rests with him alone. Will he chose the best people to serve inside and outside of Parliament or not?