By Stavros Lygeros

About 15 to 20 years ago, the existence of political acrimony in this country was attributed to the old rivalry between Andreas Papandreou and Constantine Mitsotakis.

According to the popular interpretation of the time, the problem was the so-called “dinosaurs” on the political scene and the only solution was their resignation, as this would theoretically stop them from poisoning political life with the bad feeling first created in 1965, when Mitsotakis colluded with the king to topple Papandreou’s father from the government of the time.

But as is the case with most simplistic interpretations, this explanation was belied by reality. The end of the political careers of these two bitter rivals did not give rise to a new political culture in Greece.

With some leeway for deviation, a wise-guy attitude and aggressive rhetoric remain unshakable “values” for parliamentary debates and public speaking in general.

Wednesday’s extraordinary debate on the economy by the main political leaders is a good example.

Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis and PASOK leader George Papandreou played the same game, based on a selective use of the truth, to make the best impression. So both of them overemphasized any facts casting their party in a good light and maligning the opposition, and hushed up or distorted anything jarring their version of reality.

It would be foolish, of course, to expect political leaders to impress us with their objective judgment. That is not their role, after all. Their need to fuel “partisan fanaticism” in order to boost their party following is understandable, as are their attempts to garner votes. It is doubtful, however, whether these goals are actually being served by current techniques. But the party leaderships certainly believe that “soundbite politics” constitutes the best technique for making an impression and influencing public opinion.