The fact that the country needs a decent opposition as much as it needs a decent government has been proved over and over again in the last few years. So far, SYRIZA has opted for rampant populism, extremism and personal attacks against anyone who does not share its views.

Some argue that the leftist coalition party is currently attempting to adopt a more mature and realistic approach. Certainly, meetings such as that organized between SYRIZA’s Alexis Tsipras and German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble are positive steps, not least because the party’s leadership is aware of what it is up against within Europe.

To prove that this is indeed a mature step, however, as opposed to double-talk or just a publicity stunt, two things are in order: the removal of extreme elements from the opposition party and, most importantly, greater responsibility when it comes to publicly addressing major issues facing the country from now on.